Girls from Alabaster and nearby areas took part in the 2017 Miss Heart of Alabaster pageant on Saturday, Jan. 14 in the Thompson High School auditorium. The pageant was open to all girls from 4 to 18 years old, and about 20 contestants participated.

Each contestant modeled a casual outfit, gave the audience a brief introduction and later walked across the stage in formalwear.

Cassidy Jacks, the 2017 Miss Iron City, served as the event’s emcee.

Judge Debra Creekmore said all of the contestants looked beautiful, and choosing the winner for each division was difficult for the judges.

“It was really about natural beauty. Everyone was beautiful. All of the scores were really close, and we had to break some ties. All in all, everything came out really well,” Creekmore said.

2016 Miss Heart of Alabaster Teen Brittanie Dorsett won a full scholarship to compete in the National American Miss Alabama pageant, which will take place in July.

Caroline Cook was crowned as the Princess division’s Miss Photogenic and Miss Heart of Alabaster. The audience voted for Joy Carr to be the recipient of the People’s Choice Award.

In the Pre-Teen division, Kinley Callahan was crowned as Miss Photogenic and Miss Heart of Alabaster. She was also given the People’s Choice Award.

In the Jr. Teen division, Ansley Brown was crowned Miss Photogenic, and Angel Maddox received the People’s Choice Award. The 2017 Jr. Teen Miss Heart of Alabaster is Hannah Cole.

The Teen Miss Photogenic and the 2017 Teen Miss Heart of Alabaster is THS sophomore Maddy Finch.

“I feel pretty awesome. This is a big deal. This is the only pageant that I do for a cause, and I’ve actually lost two relatives to cancer,” Finch said.

Finch said she intends to use her title as a way to perform acts of community service in the future.

“I’m going to help police officers and bring them cupcakes,” Finch said. “Also, when I turn 16, which is the age requirement, I’m going to become a volunteer at Children’s Hospital.”

The Miss Heart of Alabaster pageant has been an Alabaster tradition for the past five years. The pageant was originally started in honor of Letson’s mother, and a portion of the proceeds of the pageant went to the American Heart Association for the first three years.

After her mother died of lung cancer, part of the proceeds was donated to the American Cancer Society.

Letson thanked her daughter and co-director Savannah Buttram, the reigning 2016 Miss Heart of Alabaster Queens and all volunteers who made the pageant possible.

“She is a big help to me. I could not have done it without her and all of the volunteers,” Letson said.

Letson said she loves directing the Miss Heart of Alabaster pageant each year, is proud of all the girls who competed and is excited to see what she can do with the pageant in the future.

“My love for it is the girls and seeing them grow up, be themselves and serve the community,” Letson said. “I want it to grow larger. The larger it is, the more we can do.”

Letson also thanked Flowerz N’ More, Southern Exposure Photography, Glitz and Gowns by Missy, National American Miss, Frou Frou Boutique, LJ’s Boutique, Le Fleur, Palm Beach Tan, Boutique Bazaar, Gypset Beauty Company and Mr. Jones Plumbing for their sponsorship.