The Miss Alabama competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Alabama in the annual Miss America Competition.

Quick Facts Type, Headquarters ...
Miss Alabama
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersBirmingham
Location
Membership
Miss America
Official language
English
Websitewww.missalabama.com
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Alabama has won three Miss America titles: Deidre Downs in 2005, Heather Whitestone (the first deaf woman to win the Miss America crown) in 1995, and Yolande Betbeze in 1951. Betbeze is also known as the contestant who refused to pose in a swimsuit, causing swimsuit sponsor Catalina Swimwear to pull out and ultimately start the Miss USA pageant.[citation needed]

Abbie Stockard of Vestavia Hills was crowned Miss Alabama 2024 on June 29, 2024, at Samford University's Wright Center in Birmingham, Alabama. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Alabama titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

  • Miss Americas: Yolande Betbeze (1951), Heather Whitestone (1995), Deidre Downs (2005)
  • 1st runners-up: Teresa Cheatham (1979), Paige Phillips (1981), Scarlotte Deupree (2003), Lauren Bradford (2022)
  • 2nd runners-up: Frances Dorn (1945), Martha Ann Ingram (1948), Anne Stuart Ariail (1957), Pam Battles (1984), Alexa Jones (2006)
  • 3rd runners-up: Peggy June Elder (1947), Gwen Harmon (1953), Virginia McDavid (1954), Yolanda Fernandez (1983), Alison McCreary (1997)
  • 4th runners-up: Gloria Levinge (1936), Betty Jane Rase (1944), Angela Tower (1986), Jenny Jackson (1989), Melinda Toole (2007), Meg McGuffin (2016)
  • Top 7: Jessica Procter (2018), Tiara Pennington (2020)
  • Top 10: Marie Duncan (1942), Jeanne Moody (1952), Marilyn Tate (1955), Patricia Huddleston (1956), Lee Thornberry (1959), Teresa Rinaldi (1961), Delores Hodgens (1962), Judy Short (1964), Vickie Powers (1965), Linda Folsom (1966), Angie Grooms (1967), Dellynne Catching (1969), Angela Callahan (1987), Kalyn Chapman (1994), Leigh Sherer (1996), Julie Smith (2000), Jana Sanderson (2001), Caitlin Brunell (2015), Callie Walker (2019)
  • Top 12: Anna Laura Bryan (2013)
  • Top 13: Courtney Porter (2012)
  • Top 15: Tommy Marie Peck (1936), Mildred Oxford (1938), Florine Holt (1939), Virginia McGraw (1941), Catherine Crosby (2004), Amanda Tapley (2009)

Awards

Preliminary awards

Non-finalist awards

  • Non-finalist Talent: Anna Stange (1958), Betty Lindstrom (1960), Patricia Bonner (1963), Kathy Pickett (1980), Tammy Little (1985), Chandler Champion (2014)
  • Non-finalist Interview: Resha Riggins (1991)

Other awards

Winners

  •   Declared as winner
  •   Ended as a runner-up
  •   Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
More information Year, Name ...
Year Name Hometown Age Local Title Miss America Talent Placement at Miss America Special scholarships at Miss America Notes
2024 Abbie Stockard Vestavia 21 Miss Hoover Dance TBA TBA
2023 Brianna Burrell[1] Mobile 25 Miss Baldwin County Vocal Preliminary Evening Gown Award
2022 Lindsay Fincher Wedowee 22 Miss University of Alabama Jazz Dance, "Bossa Nova Baby" Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative 1st runner up
2021 Lauren Bradford[2] Gulf Shores 21 Miss Jefferson County Violin 1st runner-up Jean Bartel Social Impact Initiative Winner

South Dakota University STEM Scholarship

Top Fundraiser 2nd Place

Women in Business Finalist
Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2017 after Jessica Baeder was crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2018[3]
2019–20[a] Tiara Pennington[6] Helena 20 Miss University of Alabama Classical Vocal, "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot Top 7[7] Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2016[8]
Top 11 at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2017 pageant[9]
2018 Callie Walker[10] Birmingham 20 Miss Tuscaloosa Ballet en Pointe, "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo Top 10[11] CMN Miracle Maker Award 2nd runner-up Daughter of Miss Alabama 1985, Angela Tower Walker[12]

Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2012[10]
2017 Jessica Procter[13] Tuscaloosa 21 Miss Leeds Area Vocal, "Over the Rainbow" Top 7[14] Quality of Life Award Winner[15] Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2013[13]
2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2014 pageant[16]
2016 Hayley Barber[17] Pelham 22 Miss Shelby County Tap Dance, "Big Noise from Winnetka" Quality of Life Award Winner[18][19]

STEM Scholarship Award[18]

CMN Miracle Maker Award[18]
Contestant at National Sweetheart 2013 pageant
2015 Meg McGuffin[20] Ozark 22 Miss Phenix City Jazz Ballet en Pointe, "Enigma Variation" from The Matrix 4th runner up Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up Previously Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2007
2014 Caitlin Brunell[21] Tuscaloosa 22 Miss Leeds Area Dance, "Let It Go" from Frozen Top 10[22] Quality of Life Award Winner[19][23] Daughter of former NFL quarterback, Mark Brunell[24]

Previously Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2007[25]
Previously Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008[25][26]
2013 Chandler Champion[27] Leeds 20 Miss Leeds Area Jazz Ballet en Pointe, "Top Secret" Non-finalist Talent Award Older sister of Zoe Champion, Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2019[28]
2012 Anna Laura Bryan[29] Decatur 22 Miss Hoover Vocal, "Sempre Libera" from La Traviata Top 12 Quality of Life Award Winner[19]

Duke of Edinburgh Silver Medal
2011 Courtney Porter[30] Clay 24 Miss Leeds Area Tap Dance, "I Got Rhythm" Top 13 Chosen by fellow contestants as the "Wild Card," earning her a spot in the Top 13[31]
2010 Ashley Davis[32] Dothan 21 Miss West Central Alabama Vocal, "If I Had My Way" Preliminary Swimsuit Award
2009 Liz Cochran[33] Helena 20 Miss Hoover Dance, "He Lives in You" Quality of Life Award Finalist[34]
2008 Amanda Tapley[35] Birmingham 20 Miss Samford University Classical Piano Top 15 Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up Was awarded a "Golden Sash" on Miss America: Countdown to the Crown, earning a spot in the Top 15 at the Miss America 2009 pageant[36]
2007 Jamie Langley[37] Wadley 24 Miss Painted Rock Vocal, "Listen" CMN Miracle Maker Award 2nd runner-up

Quality of Life Award Finalist
2006 Melinda Toole[38] Birmingham 23 Miss Samford University Vocal, "Time to Say Goodbye" 4th runner-up Miss Congeniality

Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up
2005 Alexa Jones[39] Andalusia 24 Miss Mobile Ballet en Pointe, "Fuego" 2nd runner-up Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up
2004 Shannon Camper[40] Gadsden Miss West Central Alabama Vocal Did not compete; originally 1st runner-up, later assumed the title after Downs won Miss America 2005 title[41][42]
Deidre Downs[41][42][43] Birmingham 24 Miss Leeds Area Vocal, "I'm Afraid This Must Be Love" Winner[44] Quality of Life Award Winner[19]
2003 Catherine Crosby[45] Brewton 23 Miss Homewood Area Flute, "Riverdance" Top 15 Quality of Life Award Winner[19]

Active International For Business & Marketing
2002 Scarlotte Deupree[46] Birmingham 22 Miss Camellia Vocal, "Holding Out for a Hero" 1st runner-up Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up
2001 Kelly Jones[47] Birmingham 24 Miss Homewood Area Classical Piano, "Ballade No. 1 in G Minor"
2000 Jana Sanderson[48] Gadsden 21 Miss Samford University Vocal, "I'm a Woman" Top 10
1999 Julie Smith[49] Birmingham 23 Miss Chattahoochee Valley Marimba, "Flight of the Bumblebee" & Csárdás" medley Top 10 Quality of Life Award 2nd runner-up Competed with her younger twin sisters, Jill and Jennifer, at Miss Alabama 1997 pageant[50]
1998 Ashley Halfman[51] Birmingham 23 Miss Cullman Area Ballet en Pointe, "Everybody Says Don't" Previously Alabama's Junior Miss 1993[52]
1997 Beth Stomps[53] Mobile 20 Miss Alabama Music Hall of Fame Vocal, "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love
1996 Alison McCreary Florence 22 Miss Samford University Vocal, "How Great Thou Art" 3rd runner-up Quality of Life Award Winner[19]
1995 Leigh Sherer Jasper 22 Miss Walker County Piano / Vocal Medley from Carmen Top 10 Quality of Life Award Finalist Current Mu Alpha Sigma Alumni (Former State and Local Contestants) coordinator of the Miss Alabama pageant under married name, Leigh Seirafi[54]
1994 Amie Beth Dickinson Miss Samford University Did not compete; later assumed title after Whitestone was crowned Miss America 1995
Heather Whitestone Birmingham 21 Miss Cullman Area Ballet en Pointe, "Via Dolorosa" Winner[55] Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award

Quality of Life Award 1st runner-up
First deaf woman crowned Miss Alabama and Miss America[56]
1993 Kalyn Chapman[57] Mobile 22 Miss Leeds Area Modern Dance, "The River" Top 10 First African-American Miss Alabama[58]
1992 Kim Wimmer Mobile 21 Miss Point Mallard Vocal, "Hold On" from The Secret Garden Quality of Life Award Winner[19] Previously Alabama's Junior Miss 1989
1991 Wendy Neuendorf Birmingham 22 Miss Auburn University Vocal Comedy, "They Can't Take That Away From Me" Previously Miss Georgia Teen USA 1986[59]
1990 Resha Riggins Trussville 24 Miss Alabama Music Hall of Fame Vocal, "Cry" Non-finalist Interview Award

Quality of Life Award Finalist
1989 Julie Coons Birmingham 20 Miss Hope Vocal, "For Once In My Life"
1988 Jenny Jackson Auburn 21 Miss Auburn University Classical Piano, "Warsaw Concerto" 4th runner-up
1987 Kym Williams Birmingham 22 Miss All-American Bowl Vocal, "If We Only Have Love" Assumed title after Hitt resigned[60]
Julie Hitt 25 Miss Classic N/A Resigned because she felt she would not be able to fulfill responsibilities of the title[60]
1986 Angela Callahan Birmingham 20 Miss All-American Bowl Piano, "The Windmills of Your Mind" Top 10
1985 Angela Tower Birmingham 25 Miss Jefferson County Ballet en Pointe, "Chariots of Fire" 4th runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award Toured with 1986 Miss America Gillette Show Troupe

Mother of Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2010, Scarlett Walker, and Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen 2012 and Miss Alabama 2018, Callie Walker [citation needed]
1984 Tammy Little Section 23 Miss Hoover Area Vocal, "Hit Me With a Hot Note" from Sophisticated Ladies Non-finalist Talent Award
1983 Pam Battles Muscle Shoals 21 Miss Dixie Piano, Medley of George Gershwin pieces 2nd runner-up
1982 Yolanda Fernandez Troy 19 Miss Troy State University Classical Piano, "Fantasie Impromptu" 3rd runner-up Previously Florida's Junior Miss 1980

Reporter for WFLA-TV Channel 8[61]
1981 Phoebe Stone Huntsville 22 Miss Eastwood Ballet, "Mame"
1980 Paige Phillips Leeds 17 Miss Leeds Area Double Ventriloquism / Vocal, "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody," "Swanee," & "Mame" 1st runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1979 Kathy Pickett Mulga 26 Miss Birmingham Classical Vocal, "Sempre Libera" from La Traviata Non-finalist Talent Award
1978 Teresa Cheatham Wellington 20 Miss Point Mallard Semi-classical Vocal, "And This Is My Beloved" 1st runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
1977 Julie Houston Heflin 22 Miss Oak Mountain Banjo, "Beverly Hillbillies Theme"
1976 Denise Davis Russellville 18 Miss Mannequins Popular Vocal Toured with Miss America USO Troupe
1975 Susie Vaughn Florence 21 Miss University of North Alabama Classical Vocal, "Vilja" from The Merry Widow
1974 Pam Long 20 Miss Florence State University Ventriloquism Screenwriter of soap opera Guiding Light[citation needed]
1973 Jane Rice Huntsville 21 Miss Jacksonville State University Vocal, "Tapestry" & "I Will Never Pass This Way Again"
1972 Freita Fuller Opelika 19 Miss Lake Eufala Hula & Tahitian Dance
1971 Ceil Jenkins Birmingham 21 Miss Northeast Alabama Vocal / Dance, "But Alive" from Applause
1970 Suzanne Dennie 20 Popular Vocal, "Alfie" Preliminary Talent Award
1969 Ann Fowler 21 Vocal, "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" from Fiddler on the Roof Previously Alabama's Junior Miss 1966
1968 Dellynne Catching Birmingham 19 Piano Medley, "Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum," "America the Beautiful," & "This Is My Country" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1967 Becky Alford[62][63][64][65][66] Birmingham 20 Vocal, "Ain't This a Pretty Night" from Susannah
1966 Angie Grooms Birmingham 21 Folk Vocal & Guitar, "Today" & "If I Had a Hammer" Top 10
1965 Linda Folsom New Brockton 20 Classical Vocal, "Caro Nome" from Rigoletto Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1964 Vickie Powers Mobile 19 Classical Vocal, "Habanera" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award Featured performer on the Miss America 1966 pageant
1963 Judy Short Birmingham 18 Marimba, "Horst Toccata" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
Previously Alabama's Junior Miss 1962
1962 Patricia Bonner Camden 22 Classical Vocal, "O Luce di Quest'Anima" from Linda di Chamounix Non-finalist Talent Award
1961 Patricia Ellisor Assumed the title when Delores Hodgens resigned in November after competing in Miss America in September.
1961 Delores Hodgens Bessemer 23 Classical Piano, "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12" Top 10
1960 Teresa Rinaldi Birmingham 20 Classical Vocal, "Addio" from La bohème Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1959 Betty Lindstrom Birmingham 19 Dramatic Reading, "Miss Quiss" Non-finalist Talent Award
1958 Lee Thornberry Birmingham Vocal / Dance, "Honey Bun"' from South Pacific Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1957 Anna Stange Birmingham Monologue from Mourning Becomes Electra Non-finalist Talent Award
1956 Anne Stuart Ariail Birmingham Vocal / Dance, "Ado Annie" from Oklahoma 2nd runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1955 Patricia Huddleston Clanton 21 Classical Vocal, "Pace, Pace Mio Dio!" from La Forza del Destino Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1954 Marilyn Tate Haleyville 21 Ventriloquism / Classical Piano Top 10
1953 Virginia McDavid[67] Birmingham 18 Monologue, "Tara"' from Gone With the Wind 3rd runner-up
1952 Gwen Harmon 19 Vocal, "A Heart That's Free" 3rd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1951 Bettye Burson Assumed title after Jeanne Moody resigned after competing at Miss America.
1951 Jeanne Moody Cherokee 21 Dramatic Skit, "Sorry Wrong Number" Top 10 Preliminary Talent Award
1950 Yolande Betbeze Mobile 21 Classical Vocal, "Caro Nome" from Rigoletto Winner Preliminary Swimsuit Award Betbeze's refusal to pose in a swimsuit lead to the pull-out of swimsuit sponsors Catalina and ultimately the creation of the Miss USA pageant.[68] The Miss Alabama title was not assigned to a runner-up after Yolande Betbeze won the title of Miss America.
1949 Freida Roser Birmingham Classical Vocal
1948 Martha Ann Ingram Tarrant Classical Vocal, "Quando me'n vo'" 2nd runner-up Multiple Alabama representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Marjorie Orr Birmingham Miss Birmingham
1947 Peggy June Elder Gadsden Vocal, "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" 3rd runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award Previously "Miss Dixie 1947" Peggy June Elder Butler passed away at age 93 on April 30, 2023, at home in Gadsden, Alabama.
1946 Dale Nunnally Preliminary Talent Award Multiple Alabama representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Sue Donegan Birmingham Miss Birmingham
1945 Frances Dorn Birmingham Miss Birmingham Tap Dance 2nd runner-up Preliminary Talent Award Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1944 Betty Jane Rase Vocal Medley, "My Hero" from The Chocolate Soldier & "Lover, Come Back to Me" 4th runner-up Preliminary Swimsuit Award

Preliminary Talent Award
1943 Toula Hagestratou Birmingham Miss Birmingham Miss Congeniality
1942 Marie Duncan Birmingham Miss Birmingham Vocal, "I Met Him On Monday" Top 10 Preliminary Swimsuit Award
1941 Virginia McGraw Tap Dance with Rope Jumping Top 15 Preliminary Talent Award
1940 Evelyn Motlow Birmingham Miss Birmingham Vocal Multiple Alabama representatives

Contestants competed under local title at Miss America pageant
Carolyn Foreman Montgomery Miss Montgomery
1939 Florine Holt Birmingham Miss Birmingham Vocal, "Moonglow" & "A Little Bit of Heaven" Top 15
Louise Robertson Montgomery Miss Montgomery
1938 Mildred Oxford Birmingham Miss Birmingham Tap Dance / Toe Ballet Top 15
Patricia McDaniel Montgomery Miss Montgomery
1937 Josephine Beall Samson Miss Birmingham
Ingram Starkey Montgomery Miss Montgomery
1936 Tommy Marie Peck Florence Miss Alabama Won a tri-state competition held in Tupelo, Mississippi, and was awarded the title of "Miss Alabama" Top 15
Gloria Levinge Birmingham Miss Birmingham Tap Dance 4th runner-up Preliminary Talent Award
1935 Adelynn Owen Birmingham 23 Miss Birmingham Recited 2 poems and sang a song in French and English Competed under local title at Miss America pageant
1934 No national pageant was held[69]
1933 No Alabama representative at Miss America pageant
1932 No national pageants were held[69]
1931
1930
1929
1928
1927 No Alabama representative at Miss America pageant
1926 Vivian McDowell Miss Mobile N/A[70] Competed under local title at national pageant
1925 Nellie Kincaid Birmingham Miss Birmingham
1924 Mildred Adams Birmingham
1923 Louise Newman[71] Birmingham
1922 Elise Sparrow[72] 24 Competed under local title at national pageant

Married Boston Red Sox owner, Tom Yawkey, in 1925 and later divorced in 1944[72][73]
1921 Lois Wilson N/A Competed under local title at national pageant
Close

Notes

  1. Titleholder extended to a second year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic[4][5]

References

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