8 with local ties to compete in Miss Alabama Pageant

Published 2:13 pm Friday, May 26, 2017

Eight women with Shelby County ties will vie for the title of Miss Alabama on June 7-10 at Samford University’s Wright Center.

In addition to the talent portion of the pageant, the 48 contestants will compete in swimsuit, onstage question and evening wear competitions and will participate in a private interview with a panel of five judges.

Preliminary competitions will be held on June 7-9 at 7 p.m. each day, and the final competition will be held on Saturday, June 10, at 7 p.m.

For more information about the pageant, including how to purchase tickets, visit MissAlabama.com.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale and can be ordered by calling the Miss Alabama Pageant office at 871-6276.

Harley Chapin

Harley Chapin of Columbiana will represent Miss UAB.

Chapin is the 20-year-old daughter of Gary and Sonja Chapin of Columbiana.

She is a junior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she is majoring in graphic design with a minor in business.

She participated in Miss Alabama Pageant preliminaries for four years, and this will be Chapin’s first year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

She will perform a clogging routine to “Brave” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Chapin will discuss her personal platform: Lone Warriors: Improving Lives of U.S. Armed Force Veterans.

“I work with people locally in Alabama to help veterans in their home and office life,” she said. “We also have an Operation Therapic for therapy through photography. We have bike rides, fun runs and pancake breakfasts to raise money. My organization raises money to build wheelchair ramps and reorganize homes and offices so veterans have an easy transition in life. Our main goal, ‘Their battle, our call!’ We put veterans first with the utmost respect to make sure they live a comfortable life.”

Madelyn Gathings

Madelyn Gathings of Pelham will represent Miss Phenix City.

Gathings is the 22-year-old daughter of Ron and Robin Gathings of Pelham.

She is a recent graduate of Auburn University’s School of Nursing.

This will be Gathings’ third year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

She will perform jazz en pointe, “Big Finish” from Splash during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Gathings will discuss her personal platform: When Life Gives You Lemons.

“When Life Gives You Lemons aims to eradicate pediatric cancer through advocacy and fundraising,” she said. “With only 4 percent of government funds allocated toward research, it has become my mission to help bridge the gap between the lack of funding and the acute need for research.”

Brooklyn Holt

Brooklyn Holt of Birmingham in Shelby County will represent Miss Auburn University.

Holt is the 19-year-old daughter of Clarisse Holt of Birmingham.

A junior at Auburn University, where she is a majorette, Holt is majoring in journalism and political science.

She participated in the Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant for three years and was named top five finalist and was named to the top 15 semifinalists. This will be Holt’s second year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

She will perform a vocal, “Don’t Forget Me” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Holt will discuss her personal platform, Raise Your Voice For Children.

“Raise Your Voice For Children focuses on supplying the needs for homeless children and those from impoverished families,” she said. “Since Alabama is the highest ranked state in the nation for homeless children, I believe my platform can make an everlasting impact on Alabamians.”

She has recorded a CD single entitled “Raise Your Voice For Children.”

Stella Kontos

Stella Kontos of Leeds in Shelby County will represent Miss Center Point.

Kontos is the 19-year-old daughter of John and Kristine Kontos of Leeds.

She was a model for two years for Project Runway all-star, Anthony Ryan.

A junior at Auburn University, Kontos is majoring in chemical engineering.

This will be Kontos’ second year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant, and she was a top-12 semifinalist last year.

She will perform at the piano, “White Water Chopped Sticks,” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Kontos will discuss her personal platform: S.T.A.G.E.: Science, Technology, And Girls in Engineering.

“The purpose of my platform is to recruit, retain and reward females in engineering,” she said. “My goal is to break the glass ceiling by encouraging young women to discover a meaningful and exciting career in the STEM fields.”

She currently serves as vice president of the Auburn University College of Engineering and student liaison to 100 women strong.

“This is a great way to actively implement my platform on campus,” she said.

Mary Ann McDougal

Mary Ann McDougal of Birmingham in Shelby County will represent Miss Coastal Alabama.

McDougal is the 20-year-old daughter of Tom and Wendy McDougal of Birmingham, formerly of Greenville and Decatur.

McDougal’s mother, Wendy Neuendorf McDougal, is Miss Alabama 1991.

McDougal is a junior at Auburn University majoring in animal sciences/pre-veterinary medicine. This will be McDougal’s first year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

She will perform a jazz vocal, “On The Sunnyside of the Street,” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, McDougal will discuss her personal platform: For the Animals – Animal Advocacy.

“For the Animals focuses on education and raising awareness on the treatment and care of companion pets, as well as advocacy for shelter animals until they find their forever homes,” she said. “Animals are my passion, and I have devoted my life to be a voice for them. One day, I hope to establish a no-kill shelter and be the veterinarian on-hand.”

McDougal serves as president of the Auburn University Pre-Veterinary Medical Association and is a member of Auburn University’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Equestrian Team.

Mary Beth Moore

Mary Beth Moore of Alabaster will represent Miss Troy University.

Moore is the 20-year-old daughter of Willie and Lauren Moore of Alabaster.

A junior at Troy University, Moore is majoring in dance.

She will perform a tap dance to “Sing” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Moore will discuss her personal platform: For Greater Bands.

“My platform focuses on the importance of music and the betterment of band programs throughout our state,” she said. “As someone who has spent her entire life surrounded by music, I can say firsthand that being in the band can teach you valuable life skills. Band programs create a safe environment for young men and women to grow in and no student should be deprived of the opportunities they provide.”

Moore is a second generation Troy Trojan and a member of the Sound of the South.

Chassidy Sumler

Chassidy Sumler of Birmingham in Jefferson County will represent Miss Shelby County.

Sumler is the 23-year-old daughter of Perry and Sharon Sumler of Flora, Mississippi.

A 2015 graduate of UAB with a degree in biology and a minor in Spanish, Sumler plans to attend medical school.

This will be Sumler’s third year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

She will perform a vocal, “Somewhere,” during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Sumler will dicsuss her personal platform: Preventing Childhood Obesity.

“Since the age of 13, I have been working to promote healthy living among youth,” she said. “I chose this platform because I have personally seen what living an unhealthy life will do to you. My father suffers from Type II diabetes and my cousin, who is 18, is over 800 pounds. I have been working with local health

fairs, local schools and local Boys Clubs and Girls Clubs to promote this cause.”

She was also chosen to speak alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama in her “Let’s Move” campaign.

Interestingly, Sumler’s cousin, James Amos, played the father, James Evans, in the hit television show, Good Times; and another cousin played football in the Super Bowl.

Callie Walker

Callie Walker of Birmingham in Shelby County will represent Miss University of Alabama.

Walker is the 19-year-old daughter of Mike and Angela Walker of Birmingham.

A junior at The University of Alabama, Walker is majoring in musical theatre.

Walker is Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2012; her sister, Scarlett, is Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2010; and her mother, Angela Tower Walker, is Miss Alabama 1985.

Walker has a twin brother, Michael.

This will be Walker’s third year to participate in the Miss Alabama Pageant, and she was named first runner-up last year.

She will perform a classical ballet en pointe, “The Hoedown” from Rodeo during the talent competition.

During the interview portion of the competition, Walker will discuss her personal platform: Let’s Talk Trash!

“Let’s Talk Trash! – Green Kids for a Green Planet’s goal is to educate our youth of the importance of sustainability,” she said. “Through my platform I strive to make children aware of how simple it is to be a good steward of the earth. Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the primary focus of my platform.”