By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Holland Brown was recently crowned Miss Shelby County 2014 at the Miss Shelby County Pageant sponsored by the GFWC-Alabama Vignette Club of Shelby County. Brown, daughter of Paula and Bartley Brown of Trussville, graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School and is a junior at Auburn University.

Brown entered the Miss America Organization preliminaries as a college freshman to earn scholarships to help pay for her education. She won Miss Auburn University 2013 and earned year’s tuition. In addition she has won $1,700 cash at Miss Alabama 2013, $650 at MAO preliminaries, and $2,500 cash and $1,770 in prizes as Miss SC.

Brown’s major is education with minor in musical theater where she dances and sings. She is Philanthropic Chair of Alpha Gamma Delta, member of Auburn Players and Drama Club, student ambassador of College of Education and former member of Tiger Paws Dance Team.

In junior high Brown’s best friend was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes, an event that changed their lives. As she witnessed her friend’s life forever changed with daily monitoring of blood sugar, changed eating habits, daily shots and doctor appointments, Brown adopted Juvenile Diabetes as her platform. Brown is committed to bring awareness as well as raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“The Miss America Organization is so great,” said Brown’s mother Paula. “The emphasis is not on outward beauty but on education which gives these girls the opportunity to reach their dreams with scholarships earned. I love that they stress physical fitness and focus on a healthy, strong body type. They want girls who can articulate their views and who can think on their feet. To have a talent takes dedication and discipline. The commitment to community service and volunteerism allows the girls to find good in a bad situation. The volunteers and directors are so kindhearted and genuinely care for the contestants. The pageant system has done so much for Holland and I am so proud of her.”

“It is so awesome to be Miss Shelby County,” said Brown. “I am so honored and look forward to representing Shelby County this year.”