By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Miss Alabama 2016 Hayley Barber took some time out of her busy schedule to visit Helena and participate in a meet-and-greet at the Sassy Sisters Boutique in Helena on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Barber, who is from Pelham and graduated from Pelham High School in 2012, was crowned Miss Alabama in June and since that time has traveled to numerous places including competing in the 2017 Miss America competition in September.

On Dec. 3, Barber was in a much more relaxed environment as she greeted customers in the boutique before participating in the city of Helena’s annual Christmas Parade.

“I love traveling Alabama and getting to be Miss Alabama,” Barber said. “That was one of my goals and obviously I competed for five years and it was something I really wanted. Since coming back from Miss America I’ve been emceeing pageants and I’ve been to the National Peanut Festival and just done different appearances.”

Barber grew up near Helena and said she loves downtown Helena and Buck Creek because she used to spend so much time there.

Barber is now a senior majoring in marketing at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and is also in pre-optometry. Her platform is all about promoting healthy vision and ensuring everyone receives eye examinations.

“My platform is to give free eye examinations and to promote healthy vision with children,” Barber said. “It’s called sight for small eyes.”

In addition to promoting her platform, a large portion of being Miss Alabama includes making appearances and greeting people from different areas.

“I love people and being able to talk to them and meeting them is my favorite thing and this was such a great place to have a meet-and-greet,” Barber said of the Sassy Sisters Boutique.

When asked what her favorite thing is about participating in parades, Barber said, “Seeing a familiar face in the crowd and seeing all the kids get so excited.”

To book Barber for a future appearance, email Missalappearances@gmail.com for more information.