FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALABASTER – Zoe’ Champion, a 16-year-old sophomore at Alabama Connections Academy, was crowned Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2019 at the Thompson High School Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 3. Champion is the daughter of Shane and Debra Champion of Leeds. She plans to become an orthodontist.

Champion represented the Miss Jefferson County’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Birmingham and performed a jazz dance to “To the Rescue”, during the talent competition. She was a $250 preliminary talent award winner. Her platform is Champions M.A.D.E. (Make A Difference Everyday). She will represent Alabama at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Florida, in July.  Champion received a total of $209,942 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

With the title, Champion received a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship to Auburn University, a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship to the University of Montevallo, a four-year renewable $10,000 scholarship to Troy University at the Troy campus, a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship and freshman housing to The University of Alabama; a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship to Jacksonville State University, a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship to the University of North Alabama, a one-year tuition scholarship ($2,500) to Wallace State Community College in Hanceville; a $5,000 cash scholarship (to be paid to her college or university).

First runner-up was Emma Terry, a 16-year-old sophomore at Leeds High School.  She represented the Miss Covered Bridge’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. Terry received a $150 preliminary evening wear/onstage question award. She performed ballet en pointe to, “Gigi Medley.” She received a $2,000 cash scholarship to be paid to her college or university; trophy, an $8,000 stipend ($2,000 per year renewable) to the University of Alabama and a $14,000 ($3,500 per year renewable) scholarship to the University of Montevallo. She received a total of $24,900 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Second runner-up was Marissa Luna of Mountain Brook.  She a 15-year-old freshman at Mountain Brook Junior High School. Luna represented the Miss Tennessee Valley’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.  She performed the vocal, “Colors of the Wind,” and was a preliminary talent winner.  She received a $1,500 cash scholarship to be paid to her college or university; trophy; an $8,000 stipend ($2,000 per year renewable) to the University of Alabama and a $14,000 ($3,500 per year renewable) scholarship to the University of Montevallo. She received a total of $24,900 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Third runner-up was Jayla Duncan of Childersburg representing the Miss Coosa Valley’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.  She received a $150 preliminary evening wear/onstage question award.  She is a 15-year-old freshman at Childersburg High School. She performed a tap dance to, “Let’s Get Loud.” She also received a $1,250 cash scholarship to be paid to her college or university; trophy, an $8,000 stipend ($2,000 per year renewable) to the University of Alabama and a $14,000 ($3,500 per year renewable) scholarship to the University of Montevallo.  She received a total of $23,900 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Fourth runner-up was MaKenzie Ward, a 16-year-old junior at Hewitt-Trussville High School.  She represented the Miss Trussville’s Outstanding Teen Pageant and performed a tap dance to “Ease on Down the Road.” She received a $1,000 cash scholarship to be paid to her college or university; trophy; an $8,000 stipend ($2,000 per year renewable) to the University of Alabama and a $14,000 ($3,500 per year renewable) scholarship to the University of Montevallo.  She received a total of $23,500 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Others named to the top ten semi-finalists and receiving a $300 cash scholarship were Kari Erickson of Decatur, Hannah Gentz of Hamilton, Maddie Machovec of Alabaster, Molly Meilunas of Fairhope, and Ashley Taylor of Hayden.

Others named to the top 20 were Megan Bradford of Gulf Shores, Lindsey Butz of Huntsville, Blakely Channell of Alabaster, Mary Catherine Dulaney of Ozark, Laura Grace Henry of Prattville, Sara Beth Huntley of Clanton, CoCo Green of Citronelle, Tannah Kirkland of Pinson, Ella Kate Nichols of Andalusia, and Deseray Stone of Smiths Station. They received a $250 cash award.

Caelyn Dolar of Dothan was preliminary talent winner with her African jazz dance to “Circle of Life,” and she received a $250 cash scholarship. She was also recipient of the $150 non-finalist talent award.

Lindsey Butz of Huntsville and Sarah Beth Huntley of Clanton received the Overall Highest Academic Award and each received a $500 cash award. They also received a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship and $5,000 freshman housing to The University of Alabama and a four-year renewable full tuition scholarship to the University of Montevallo. Butz received a total of $95,790 in cash and in-kind scholarships and Huntley received a total of $96,390 in cash and in-kind scholarships.

Ella Kate Nichols of Andalusia, Alabama, was the recipient of the $500 Jessica Baeder Community Service Award. First runner-up was Lindsey Wood of Clanton who received a $300 cash scholarship. Second runner-up was Laura Grace Henry of Prattville who received a $200 cash scholarship.  Other finalists were Marissa Luna of Mountain Brook and Victoria Whatley of Fairhope.

Marissa Luna of Mountain Brook received the $500 Children’s Miracle Network Award.

Halle Sullivan of Clanton received the $500 Achievement in Advertisement Sales Award, and the $100 Photogenic Award.

Sarah Beth Huntley of Clanton was the recipient of the $500 Congeniality award.

Emily Jimmerson of Madison was recipient of the $150 non-finalist interview award.

The $100 Bob Cook Memorial Scholarship was presented to Deseray Stone of Smiths Station and Mikella Anderson of Prattville.

The $100 Dressing Room Mom’s cash scholarship was presented to Aubrey McElvey of Oneonta and Valerie Ogle of Marbury.

Blakely Channell of Alabaster received the $1,000 dance scholarship from Jackie O’Neal School of Dance in Birmingham.

Zoe’ Champion of Leeds was the recipient of The Pointe Dance Arts $500 dance scholarship.

The Birmingham Dance Theatre presented a $250 dance scholarship to Emma Terry of Leeds and Maddie Machovec of Alabaster.

The Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant is the only affiliate of the Miss Alabama Pageant. More information about the program may be found at Outstandingteen.homestead.com.