Brianna Burrell, representing Baldwin County, was crowned Miss Alabama 2023 on Saturday night at the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University in Homewood. The competition, which took place from June 25 to July 1, featured more than 20 women from across the state vying for the prestigious title.
Burrell, a recent graduate of the University of South Alabama, majored in political science and was the first runner-up in the Miss Alabama competition in 2022. Her win this year marks a significant milestone as she becomes the third Black woman to be crowned Miss Alabama in the competition’s 102-year history.
The goal of the Miss Alabama program is to provide scholarships for young women in Alabama and promote community service. The organization has a rich history spanning almost 100 years and has awarded college scholarships to outstanding young women in the state. The Miss Alabama competition serves as an example of what can be achieved when college women are challenged and encouraged to pursue ambitious goals.
Burrell’s community service initiative, SAVE-A-STEM, aims to promote engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math among students of color and underfunded schools. As Miss Alabama, she plans to focus on building relationships with people across the state and making a tangible impact in education.
During the competition, Burrell impressed the judges with her talent, on-stage interview, evening gown, and health and fitness segments. She sang “Alabaster Box,” a gospel song recorded by CeCe Winans, for her talent performance. The competition no longer includes a swimsuit segment but has added a health and fitness segment where contestants model activewear.
In addition to the title of Miss Alabama, Burrell also received a $15,000 scholarship. The first runner-up received $5,000, the second runner-up received $3,000, the third runner-up received $2,500, and the fourth runner-up received $2,000. Other semi-finalists received $1,500 each in scholarship money, and all contestants received $1,250 for participating in the pageant.
The Miss Alabama competition is not only about the crown and scholarship money but also about the opportunity to make a difference in the community. Burrell’s win will allow her to serve as a role model and advocate for causes close to her heart.
The Miss Alabama Teen competition was also held during the same weekend, and Elaina Burt was crowned Miss Alabama Teen 2023. Burt, a 17-year-old junior at Briarwood Christian School, won the talent preliminary by performing ballet en pointe to a medley from the Broadway musical “Oklahoma.” She also won the evening wear and on-stage question preliminary and received the community service award for her social impact initiative, “Charley’s Chance.”
Burt’s initiative aims to raise awareness about epilepsy and advocate for people suffering from it. She started a nonprofit called Charlie’s Chance and organized a fundraising gala for the Epilepsy Foundation Alabama, raising over $32,000. As Miss Alabama Teen, Burt plans to continue her efforts to provide seizure first aid training in schools across the state.
Both Burrell and Burt will represent Alabama in national competitions. Burrell will compete in the Miss America competition later this year, while Burt will compete in Miss America Teen in January 2024.
The Miss Alabama competition has a long-standing tradition of empowering young women and providing them with opportunities for personal growth and scholarship. The winners of the competition serve as ambassadors for the state and make a positive impact through their community service initiatives. Brianna Burrell and Elaina Burt are poised to continue this legacy and inspire others with their dedication and passion.