Susannah Higgins, 18, has been named Miss Shelby County 2006.

Higgins was chosen as Miss Shelby County from a pool of eight young ladies last Friday night at Shelby County High School.

The program held last Friday was the 19th program produced by the Vignette Club of Columbiana. Serving as pageant director was Melody Arledge of the Vignette Club.

Chosen as first alternate was Brooke Tidwell. Second alternate was Terra Moody.

Swimsuit winner was Ashton Patton, and Jessica Rae Andrews was talent winner.

Higgins wowed the crowd with a ballet performance to &uot;Somewhere Over the Rainbow&uot; by Martina McBride during the talent competition. She was also a hit in a white two-piece swimsuit during that part of the competition.

She learned of her win following the evening wear competition during which she glowed in a multi-colored, sequined gown.

Higgins, who will compete in next year’s Miss Alabama pageant, was crowned by Miss Shelby County 2005 Katie Boyd alongside Miss Alabama Alexa Jones in her first official appearance.

As Miss Shelby County, Higgins will receive some $8,370 in scholarships and gifts including a $5,000 tuition scholarship to Jefferson State Community College, a $1,000 tuition scholarship to the University of Montevallo, $500 from Alabama Power Company, $500 from the Vignette Club of Columbiana, $250 from the Novella Club of Columbiana, $100 from State Rep. Jimmy Martin, $100 from State Rep. Cam Ward, a $50 savings bond from First Commercial Bank, a $50 gift certificate from Limestone Spa & Boutique, a $50 skin care gift box from Merle Norman in Pelham, a $20 gift certificate from the Fish Market Restaurant and use of a competition gown valued at $750 from The Pageant Tree.

First runner up Tidwell receives $500 from Alabama Supreme Court Justice Patti Smith, $125 from Barton Clay Jewelers, $100 from Gordon Timberlands, $100 from State Sen. Steve French, $100 from State Rep. Mike Hill, $50 from Shelby County Judge Al Crowson, a $50 savings bond from Colonial Bank, a $30 gift certificate from Limestone Spa & Boutique and a $20 gift certificate from the Fish Market Restaurant.

Second runner up Moody receives $250 from Regions Bank, $100 from Shelby County Commissioner Lindsay Allison, $100 from Cahaba Title Insurance Company, $100 from Alagasco, $100 from State Rep. Jim Carns, $100 from State Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, a $30 gift certificate from Limestone Spa & Boutique and a $20 gift certificate from the Fish Market Restaurant.

Talent winner Andrews receives $100 from Lowe and Associates Realty, $100 from Donald Real Estate, $50 from Shelby County Judge Hub Harrington, $25 from Ray Sod Farm, a $30 gift certificate from Limestone Spa & Boutique and a $20 gift certificate from the Fish Market Restaurant.

Swimsuit winner Patton receives $100 from the Culture Club of Columbiana, $75 from Seventh Heaven, $25 from Hi-Tech Patterns and Tooling and a $30 gift certificate from Limestone Spa & Boutique.

Serving as judges for the competition were Amy Robertson, head judge and director of the Miss Gadsden Area pageant; Calvin Gunn, novice judge; Sue Love; Jody Sims; and Jane Vaughn