FROM STAFF REPORTS

Jaidyn McDuffie, the 2018 Tiny Miss Heart of Alabaster, has earned the prestigious title of the 2018 National American Miss Alabama at the state pageant held on July 7. McDuffie will be attending the National Pageant to be held in Anaheim, California, at Disneyland during Thanksgiving week, representing the state of Alabama, where she will have the opportunity to win her share of more than $500,000 in cash and prizes.

The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the National American Miss Pageants awards $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes to recognize and assist the development of young women nationwide. National American Miss is dedicated to developing the success of young women across our nation with a program designed to be age-appropriate and family oriented. Pageants are held in each state for girls ages 4 to 18 in five different age divisions.

The National American Miss Pageants are for “Today’s Girl” and “Tomorrow’s Leaders.” The pageant program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise, presentation and offers an “All American Spirit” of fun for family and friends. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition and setting and achieving personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for the future.

McDuffie is the 6-year-old daughter of Martez and June McDuffie of Bessemer. She is the granddaughter of Wiley and Josie Smitherman of Clanton and Bruce and Andrea Pettway of Mobile. McDuffie will be in the first grade at Greenwood Elementary School in the fall. She enjoys cheerleading for the McAdory youth football program, having girls’ days with her friends, reading and drawing. Her sponsors for the state pageant were her friends and family. Businesses’ or anyone wishing to help McDuffie on her journey to California can do so by contacting June McDuffie at jsmcduff@usc.edu. All contributions are tax deductible.