For generations, many young girls have dreamed of stepping onto a stage in a sparkling gown and hearing their name announced as a beauty queen. But today’s Miss Alabama competition is about far more than crowns and pageantry, emphasizing scholarships, leadership, talent and community service alongside tradition.
This year, 17 University of Alabama students and recent graduates will be among the 45 contestants competing for the Miss Alabama title June 3-6 at Samford University in Birmingham.
The winner of the statewide competition will advance to represent Alabama at the Miss America pageant later this year.
According to information released by the University of Alabama, contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown, health and fitness, and on-stage question categories during the Miss Alabama competition. Each contestant also promotes a community service initiative or social impact platform tied to causes important to them.
The strong University of Alabama presence means Crimson Tide students make up more than one-third of the Miss Alabama field this year.
The competition also reflects the broader mission of the Miss Alabama organization, which describes itself as a nonprofit scholarship program with a history spanning nearly 100 years. Organizers say the program helps participants develop interview skills, leadership abilities and self-confidence while providing scholarship opportunities for college women.
According to the Miss Alabama organization, the state title comes with a $15,000 cash scholarship in addition to other scholarship awards, sponsor gifts and services.
Among the contestants are Hailey Adams, the reigning Miss University of Alabama, and Ruby Tilghman, who previously held the Miss University of Alabama 2025 title.
Contestants use the competition to spotlight causes important to them. Among those, Hannah Adams, Miss Shelby County, promotes “Hannah’s Hope – Finding a Cure for Pediatric Cancer,” while Hailey Adams focuses on raising awareness about human trafficking through her initiative “Hidden in Plain Sight.” Chloe Yates, Miss Gardendale Magnolia Festival, advocates for Special Olympics through her platform centered on “Deleting the ‘Dis’ in Disabled.” Other contestants are also using the Miss Alabama stage to raise awareness for issues including childhood hunger, heart health, bullying prevention and support for NICU families.
The University of Alabama contestants competing for Miss Alabama include:
- Hailey Adams, Miss University of Alabama, of Birmingham
• Hannah Adams, Miss Shelby County, of Birmingham
• Elaina Burt, Miss Jefferson County, of Hoover
• Belle Casey, Miss Ruffner Mountain, of Indian Springs
• Carson Champion, Miss Trussville, of Valley
• Rylie Dewley, Miss Hidden River, of Grand Blanc, Michigan
• Amelia Donaho, Miss River City, of Windermere, Florida
• Liliana Geier, Miss Hamilton, of Dadeville
• Caroline Gibson, Miss Eastern Shore, of Northport
• Kaitlin Glawson, Miss St. Clair Area, of Helena
• Katherine Grigsby, Miss Vestavia Hills, of Trussville
• Reagan Hanson, Miss Leeds Area, of Trussville
• Sydney Julian, Miss Mobile Bay, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Julia Schumacher, Miss Tuscaloosa, of Mankato, Minnesota
• Abby Sosa, Miss West Alabama, of Cullman
• Ruby Tilghman, Miss Birmingham, of Panama City, Florida
• Chloe Yates, Miss Gardendale Magnolia Festival, of Prospect, Kentucky
Preliminary competitions are scheduled for June 3-5 at 7 p.m., with the Miss Alabama finale set for June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University.
The Miss Alabama organization traces its roots back to 1921 and continues to serve as Alabama’s official preliminary competition to Miss America.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
