Jessica Procter will return to a national stage this fall as Alabama’s representative at the Miss America pageant. Four years ago, Procter was second runner-up at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant. She was also a preliminary winner in the evening wear competition at finals. The teen competition is the younger-sister pageant within the Miss America Organization for girls aged 13-17 years.
Long line of winners
This year, Procter’s competitive spirit will be shown live on the ABC television network as she competes for the Miss America crown.
On Saturday, Procter was crowned Miss Alabama 2017. If she wins the pageant, she will become the fourth contestant from Alabama to reign as Miss America. Previous winners from the state include Deidre Downs, in 2005; Paige Phillips, in 1995; and Yolande Betbeze, in 1951.
University of Alabama student Jessica Procter crowned Miss Alabama 2017 https://t.co/aD4mAana6P pic.twitter.com/maJbExFWTQ
— AL.com Birmingham (@ALcomBirmingham) June 11, 2017
Preliminary results
Several young women excelled at this year’s Miss Alabama festivities. There were three days of preliminary competition before the new Miss Alabama was crowned on Saturday. On Wednesday, Chassidy Sumler won the talent contest, and both Victoria Roose and Lexie Hayes won the swimsuit competition.
On Thursday, Callie Walker won in the talent division, and Chelsey Sayasane won in the swimsuit category. On Friday, Callie Walker was named the winner of the talent competition, and Charity Bowden and Chelsea Yarber tied in the swimsuit competition.
Alabama’s top teen
This year’s teen contestant was crowned earlier this year.
In March, Jessica Baeder, a junior at Auburn High School, was crowned Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2017. She travels to Orlando, Florida later this summer to compete for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Like older contestants, the teen contestants compete for scholarships using much of the judging criteria the Miss America hopefuls face.
An exception is the swimsuit competition. The teens compete in activewear rather than swimsuits. If Baeder wins the national title, she will become the first contestant from Alabama to wear the crown. Alabama began its involvement with the national pageant in 2005. So far, the highest-placing contestant from Alabama is Scarlett Walker of Birmingham, who was first runner-up at the 2010 national pageant.
Rising Stars
The state pageant also sponsors a program for girls aged 7-11 years who are interested in pageantry. Some of the girls also participate in the Miss Alabama Fashion Show.
