Ruby Tilghman, a Panama City, Florida, native and University of Alabama graduate, was crowned Miss Alabama 2026 Saturday night in Birmingham.
Tilghman, who competed as Miss Birmingham, earned the crown and will go on to represent Alabama at the Miss America competition. Her victory also capped a strong showing for UA students and recent graduates, four of whom finished among the competition’s five finalists.
The new Miss Alabama recently graduated from UA with a degree in chemistry and plans to continue her education at UAB’s Heersink School of Medicine. She previously served as Miss University of Alabama, representing both the university and the UA National Alumni Association.
Although she grew up in Florida, Tilghman has spent much of the last four years building connections across Alabama through academic research, community service initiatives and leadership roles at UA.
A pre-med student and undergraduate researcher during her time at the university, Tilghman hopes to pursue a career in pediatric neurology and eventually complete a fellowship in movement disorders. According to a University of Alabama profile, she conducted research in the Summers Lab focused on developing pharmaceutical intermediates.
While pageant titles often draw attention to accomplishments on stage, much of Tilghman’s work has taken place in communities across Alabama. As president of the 57 Miles Initiative, she helped revive a program connecting university students with service opportunities in Alabama’s Black Belt and organized its first major service event in more than five years.
Through 57 Miles and College Ready Marion, Tilghman has focused much of her service work on Alabama’s Black Belt communities, helping connect students with educational opportunities and community-based service projects.
Her commitment to service extends beyond education. A certified nursing assistant, Tilghman has volunteered in healthcare settings and plans to continue her education as she pursues a career as a physician.
She has also demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. In 2017, she founded Many Mini Musicians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting fine arts education. Through the organization, more than $50,000 has been distributed to public school fine arts programs, with additional funding generated through partner organizations. The nonprofit also provides instruments, sheet music and performance opportunities for young musicians.
Tilghman’s path to the Miss Alabama crown began years ago. She joined the Miss America Organization at age 13 and later earned the title of Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen in 2021 before coming to Alabama for college.
The University of Alabama entered the competition with a significant presence. Prior to the pageant, 17 UA students and recent graduates were among the 45 contestants competing for the state title.
Joining Tilghman in the Top 5 were Julia Schumacher, Miss Tuscaloosa, who was named first runner-up; Jayla Duncan, Miss East Alabama, second runner-up; Elaina Burt, Miss Jefferson County, third runner-up; and Alana Price, Miss Samford University, fourth runner-up.
Schumacher, Burt and Price were all part of the University of Alabama contingent, meaning four of the competition’s five finalists were UA students or recent graduates.
Tilghman’s victory not only earned her the opportunity to represent Alabama at Miss America, but also capped a remarkable week for students and graduates from the state’s flagship university, whose contestants made up more than one-third of the field and secured four of the Top 5 spots.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
