During the 35th annual Miss UNA Scholarship Pageant on Jan. 22, political science senior Brandi Lewis, of Homewood, beat out 11 other contestants for the title of Miss UNA 2011.

She inherited the title from last year’s winner Erica Gholson. The pageant’s first runner-up was Cullman’s Norma Mill, the second runner-up was Florence’s Ann-Marie Ross and the third runner-up was Russellville’s Anne-Marie Hall.

“The reason I entered Miss UNA was for the opportunity to be a representative of this university,” Lewis said. “I knew I could represent UNA well, being someone that is involved on campus and who wants to better my university.”

The pageant is a long-standing tradition at UNA and is an official preliminary for the Miss Alabama and Miss America pageants. Its primary purpose has long been rooted in providing scholarships to its contestants.

Miss UNA serves as an official representative of the university and the Shoals area. Her duties also include the promotion of a platform of her own selection, appearing in an official capacity as a university representative and representing UNA in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

Lewis’s platform, called “A Chance to Dream,” was created as a way to raise awareness for children suffering from alplastic anemia, a disease she was diagnosed with when she was younger.

“Being diagnosed with an illness myself, alplastic anemia, I know how hard it is to go through things mentally, physically and emotionally,” she said. “I want to be that listening box for them as well as a role model for them. I want them to know that, no matter what they go through, you can always accomplish your dreams and goals, and me being crowned Miss UNA has shown that it is possible. I don’t want these kids to let their illnesses hold them back from anything.”

The categories in which contestants were judged included a pre-pageant interview, a talent portion, an on-stage question, evening wear and lifestyle and fitness in swimwear. Each contestant also mentored a child from the Shoals area during pageant week, and the contestants appeared on stage with their mentees near the end of the pageant.

The pageant’s mistress of ceremonies was Miss UNA 1997 Rachel Bobo Faulkner, a Florence native who graduated from the university in 1998 with a degree in public relations.

“As Miss UNA, what I want to accomplish first is for this university and the Shoals community to say that I represented well,” Lewis said. “I want to be able to use my platform in a way to touch others’ lives and help them accomplish their goals. I am so proud to be Miss UNA. It is such an honor to represent this university and the Shoals area well.”