Top row, left to right: Candra Cornelius, Emily Dia, Charis Freeman, Caroline Grimes; second row, left to right: Lacey Johnson, Rebecca McAnnallay, Audrey McMickens, Sydney Newton; third row, left to right: Emilie Northern, Mattie Putman, Anna-Kaitlyn Shea, Kirsten Wolfe; bottom row: Emma Wright
HANCEVILLE – More than a dozen young women will compete for the title of Miss Wallace State 2019 on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 3 p.m. in the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre at Wallace State Community College. The contest will be held in conjunction with the Miss North Alabama Outstanding Teen contest. Reigning Miss Alabama Callie Walker will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
The Miss Wallace State Preliminary is a scholarship pageant that offers more than $3,500 in cash and tuition/fees scholarships to participants each year. This scholarship pageant is a part of the Miss America organization, which provides millions of dollars in scholarship money to contestants throughout the United States. Miss Wallace State 2019 will compete for the title of Miss Alabama in June 2019 at Samford University.
Contestants vying for the title of Miss Wallace State 2019 are:
Candra Cornelius of Vinemont, will turn 19 on the day of the pageant. She is a General Studies major. The theme of her community service project is Opioid Addiction Awareness and Prevention. Her talent will be a baton routine to “Faith” by Stevie Wonder.
Emily Dia, 23, of Hayden, is a business administration major, who plans to transfer and continue her education so that she can obtain a masters in accounting. The theme of her community service project is Food Insecurity on College Campuses. She will perform a rendition of “All of Me” by Billie Holiday.
Charis Beth Freeman, 20, of Cullman is a salon and spa management major at Wallace State. Her community service project focuses on Hunger in Alabama. She will perform “God Bless the U.S.A.” in American Sign Language.
Caroline Grimes, 18, of Orange Beach is a general studies major. Her community service project platform is Bringing Magic to Those Who See It Best, touting the benefits of theatre. She will give a jazz vocal performance of “Feeling Good.”
Lacey Aileen Johnson, 18, of Pinson is a general studies major with plans to transfer and pursue a degree in broadcast journalism and be a news anchor. Her platform issue is Royal Family Kids Camp, a camp for foster children. She will perform a jazz dance to “Show Off” from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Rebecca McAnnally, 18, of Oneonta is a general studies major at Wallace State, with plans to transfer and obtain a doctorate in pharmacy. Her community service project is Opioid Addiction and Rehabilitation. She will perform and lyrical dance to “When We Were Young” by Adele.
Audrey McMickens, 19, of Bremen is pursuing an associate degree in nursing at Wallace State. Her community service project platform is suicide prevention. She will perform a rendition of Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling in Love” while playing the ukulele.
Sydney Newton, 18, of Cullman, is a mechanical engineering major, with plans to transfer to complete her degree, with a minor in business management. Living with PTSD and to Help Others Who Have It is the focus of her community service project. She will sing “The Climb” for her talent.
Emilie Northern, 18, of Union Grove, is a general studies major at Wallace State, with plans to transfer and obtain a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her community service project is Type 2 Diabetes: A Life Unsweetened. She will perform a contemporary lyrical dance to “Elastic Heart.”
Mattie Putman, 20, of Arab, is a nursing major at Wallace State, with plans to become a surgeon and later specialize in genetic research. Her community service platform project is Discovering the Gateway to Freedom through Invisible Illnesses. She will perform a hip-hop dance/gymnastics routine to “Thank U, Next” by Arianna Grande.
Anna-Kaitlyn Shea, 19, of Oneonta is a biology major, with plans to continue her education and become a veterinarian. Her community service project is It’s All Major – Major Depression and Anxiety Awareness. She will perform a solo of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” on the alto saxophone.
Kirsten Wolfe, 22, of Birmingham, is a general studies major, with plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her community service project focuses on Underprivileged Children in America. She will perform an a cappella version of “Amazing Grace.”
Emma Wright, 18, of Blountsville, is a general studies major, with plans to become a doctor. Her community service project is Supporting Music in Education – Music Changes Lives. She will sing “She Used to be Mine” from the Broadway musical “Waitress.”
The Miss North Alabama Most Outstanding Teen pageant is a preliminary of Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen program, with the state pageant to be held March 1-3 at Thompson High School in Alabaster.
Contestants in the Miss North Alabama Outstanding Teen pageant include: Isabella Allred of Cullman, Kyla Madyson Briscoe of Bagley, Ansley Nicole Brown of Maylene, Marigrace Dunn of Fairview, Claire Findley of Alabaster, Ashley Gattis of Union Grove, Ramsey Harper of Hayden, Tatum Jewel Monroe of Arab, Anna Kathryn Schloss of Huntsville, Jenna Snow of Alabaster, Leslie Seanna Terrell of Remlap, and Jane Margaret Turner of Mountain Brook.
Admission to the pageant is $10 adults, $5 children 12 and younger, with proceeds going to scholarships. For more information about Miss Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu/miss-wallace-state.
