By Gary Lloyd
An Argo girl has been Miss Alabama Anna Laura Bryan’s rising star for the last two years.
Carley Cofield, 9, a student at Springville Elementary, met up with Bryan about three years ago. Bryan’s platform is P.A.W.S for Autism-People and Animals Working Side by Side, which provides service dogs for people with autism. Carley has a form of autism that somewhat affects her speech and social communication.
The Miss Alabama Pageant has a program called “Alabama’s Rising Stars,” in which contestants act as mentors for girls ages 7-11.
When Bryan won Miss Alabama last year, Carley’s mom, Nickel Cofield, thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to Las Vegas for the Miss America Pageant. Bryan won the Miss America Quality of Life Award for her work.
“It was a very fun experience,” Nickel Cofield said.
Four of the family’s five members — Nickel, husband Russ, Carley and 7-year-old Scarlett — stayed the full week in Las Vegas. Lawson, 3, stayed home with relatives.
From left are Carley Cofield, Miss Alabama Anna Laura Bryan and Scarlett Cofield.
photo courtesy of Danny Barrett of Pageant Works
Carley was able to meet many contestants, including Miss Montana Alexis Wineman, the first autistic Miss America competitor.
“It was kind of neat,” Nickel Cofield said.
Nickel said Carley’s responses to questions are straightforward
. Nickel said that Carley said she had fun and enjoyed seeing the pageant up close.
“Overall, she had a good time and liked it,” she said.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
