By Gary Lloyd
Seven local girls are gearing up for the 2013 Miss Alabama Pageant.
The pageant, which includes 51 girls, will be June 5-8 at the Leslie Stephen Wright Fine Arts Center on Samford University’s campus in Birmingham
Local contestants are Miss Center Point Jordan Dailey, Miss Trussville Meschelle Stringer, Miss Birmingham Elisabeth Chramer, Miss North Jefferson Area Katie Malone, Miss Auburn University Holland Brown, Miss Shelby County Jamie Brooks and Miss Clay-Chalkville Janet Pugh.
Dailey, Stringer, Chramer, Malone and Brown are all Hewitt-Trussville High School graduates, graduating in consecutive years between 2007 and 2011, respectively. Brooks and Pugh are Clay natives.
Brown is competing in her first Miss Alabama Pageant.
“To me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “Girls are only eligible to compete for a few years, so I find it important to soak up every moment of this life-changing experience. It’s the chance to meet new people, gain confidence and self esteem, and most importantly earn scholarship money.”
Stringer is in her fifth Miss Alabama competition.
“Having worked very hard over the past few years, winning would obviously be the icing on the cake, as the title of Miss Alabama has been a long-term goal,” she said. “I would continue to do what I do every day as a local titleholder, but I would be able to broaden the range of people and of the state I can have a positive impact on.”
Malone, competing in her third Miss Alabama Pageant, said this opportunity is special.
“I have grown so much personally, spiritually and professionally through this experience,” she said. “I consider it such a blessing to be in the position to make a difference.”
Dailey said the program and board members, directors and backstage/house moms giving their time is wonderful.
“To have that many people investing their free time in 51 young women is an amazing testament to this organization, and it’s very humbling for all of us to experience that kind of unbridled encouragement and support,” she said.
The city of Trussville will be the most represented city at this year’s pageant, with five Hewitt-Trussville High School graduates among the 51 contestants.
Last year’s Miss Alabama Pageant winner was Anna Laura Bryan, who competed as Miss Hoover. Bryan competed as Miss Trussville in 2011.
Courtney Porter, a 2005 Clay-Chalkville High School graduate, won the Miss Alabama Pageant in 2011 as Miss Leeds Area. She finished in the top 13 at the 2012 Miss America Pageant.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.