Thursday was a big night for seven women who attend Alabama State University. The Miss Alabama State University wrapped up its rehearsals on Wednesday night to officially crown the winner 2023-24 Miss Alabama State University and her royal court.
After a long four days of rehearsals, the pageant judges awarded Kayla Edwards, a Brooklyn, New York native who is majoring in biology pre-health, as Miss Alabama State University 2023-24.
The judges also awarded the title of Miss Senior to Dreayna Morgan, a Cirtonelle, Alabama native majoring in political science.
Montgomery, Alabama native Ferrin Lewis, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice is the new Miss Junior and Aaliyah Thomas, a San Diego, California native majoring in psychology is the new Miss Sophomore.
The annual competition was held in the John Garrick Hardy Center Ballroom on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Edwards, who will reign as a student ambassador for the university, will be formally crowned during the Miss Alabama State University Coronation in October. The glamorous event is a celebration characterized by an atmosphere of royalty, splendor and campus unity.
Tonya Terry, a former WSFA news anchor and reporter, was the night’s mistress of ceremony. The in-person event was live-streamed on Facebook, offering the opportunity for all of Hornet Nation to be a part of the pageant.
“These women are committed to being role models, serving as leaders but most importantly, committed to representing O’ Mother Dear,” said Malinda Swoope, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Contestants participated in an opening performance and were judged in three areas: on-stage questions, talent and red-carpet evening gown. Candidates’ final scores were calculated through each of the three stages.
During the talent competition, the ladies displayed a variety of talents.
Thomas danced to Beyonce’s “Welcome to Hollywood,” while Zanyia Williams performed her poem titled “Growing Pains.”
Lewis did her own rendition of the hit song “Shabooya,” while Brianna Burke danced to Yebba’s “Heartbreak.”
Morgan performed a poem titled “I’m Tired,” while Edwards performed her monologue “The Strong Black Women is Dead.”
Throughout the event, the audience was entertained by College of Visual and Performing Arts students Muhammed Ali, Jazmun McCoy and Faith Blackwell.
Swoope noted that the pageant would not have been successful if it were not for the people who assisted in the planning, preparation and execution of the event.
She gave special recognition to the pageant’s director, Sheyann Webb-Christburg, who was presented with a certificate “for her untiring commitment to Alabama State University.”
The theme of the night was beauty, elegance and excellence.
Judges for the evening’s competition included Gina Ishman, the circuit clerk for Montgomery County Court; Angela Hampton; International Coordinator for Montgomery City Schools and a former Miss Alabama State University; and Valeria Samuel Crawford, a retired educator.