HOOVER – Hoover native and Miss District of Columbia Briana Kinsey was recognized with a proclamation at the Hoover City Council on Monday, Nov. 20.

Kinsey won third runner-up in the Miss America Pageant in September, winning a $15,000 scholarship and a $5,000 science, technology, engineering and math scholarship.

Kinsey also won the Miss America Community Service Award for her work with the Daring to Defeat Diabetes non-profit organization she founded, according to the proclamation presented by Hoover Mayor Frank V. Brocato.

“We talk about our young folks and we talk about our school system—how we’re proud of everything that comes out of our school system, how they work hard,” Brocato said. “We are just so grateful to see one of your young folks come through our system, and to achieve everything you have achieved is just outstanding.”

Kinsey’s parents, Robert and Velda Kinsey, were also recognized.

Kinsey is a 2011 graduate of Hoover High School and 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama, where she majored in biology and pre-med studies.

Previous titles won by Kinsey include Miss Jefferson County Outstanding Teen, Miss Birmingham, Miss Hoover, Miss Marble Valley, Miss North Jefferson Area and Miss Leeds Area.

A reception was held afterward for family and friends.

Also at the meeting, the Hoover Softball Association presented a donation of $5,200 to Down Syndrome Alabama in honor of a local player who Association President John Park called an “awesome ballplayer and a big-time inspiration.”

Parker said the organization collects funds for the charity through travel ball tournaments hosted in Hoover and a fall ball day dedicated to the cause.

Brocato presented donations from the city to several community service organizations, including: Alabama Symphonic Association, A-Team Ministries, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Zoo, Bessemer Cutoff Advocacy Center, CrimeStoppers, Heavenly Character, Hoover Helps, Hoover Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, Special Equestrians and Shelby Humane.