Sixteen contestants arrayed in evening wear took the stage in a crowded Norton Auditorium Saturday, Jan. 25 to compete for the title of 2014 Miss UNA.

The title was given to Erica Kelly, 20, a psychology major whose platform was “Be Aware, Don’t Stare: raising awareness and educating others on Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

“I am completely ecstatic and blown away and I can’t wait to get this new year underway as Miss UNA”, she said. “I plan to further my platform by distributing information about autism to the students and community of UNA, as well as plan fundraising events.”

Kelly also won the lifestyle and fitness portion of the competition.

2013 Miss UNA Emily Winkler said she has high expectations for her roommate and fellow crown-holder.

“She will be amazing, and I expect her to perform well at Miss Alabama,” she said.

In addition to competing in the Miss Alabama pageant in June, Kelly will also be awarded over $12,000 in scholarships and prizes from local establishments in the Shoals including a custom pageant ring from Creative Jewelers, textbooks for two semesters from the UNA bookstore and a gown allowance from Proms N Promises in Haleyville.

Student Dillon Green said he came looking to be entertained by the contestants and was blown away by the amount of talent each girl possessed.

“My only request for this year’s Miss UNA is for her to be a little bit more visible,” he said. “She is a representative of our campus.”

Tanner King, a sophomore, said it was encouraging to see what each lady stands for and what her platform is.

“It takes a lot to get up in front of people in any competition and I applaud each and every one of the contestants for that,” he said. “I was amazed by the level of talent that was brought forth in the talent portion.”

The 2013 Miss Alabama Chandler Champion served as a prompter for the pageant, presenting the line up of contestants and judges.

The judges for 2014 Miss UNA were Shoals native Sandy Noland, Jarrod Landers, Vestavia Hills, Torie Sparks, Vestavia Hills, Leslie Canaday Bradley, Huntsville, and Joe Hill, Nashville, Tenn.

The contestants were subject to a round of interview questions that counted for 25 percent of their overall score before the competition even began, said Director of Miss UNA Tyler Thompson.

“It’s a big part of the competition that the audience doesn’t get to see,” he said.

Meredith Hamner, music education major, took the award for most talented performance with her rendition of “Don’t Rain on My Parade” by Barbara Streisand.

Hamner said she is deeply thankful for the scholarship pageant and the opportunities UNA has given to her.

“I will not be paying to go to school for a whole semester and that is all the thanks to wonderful directors and university leaders who support the pageant,” she said.

Brittany Jordan, secondary education major, was given the new University Bookstore Outstanding Community Service award worth $50 for her outstanding community service hours.

The award for Miss Congeniality was given to Jovonne Baker, a 19-year-old communications major.  

    Senior Candace Crane, public relations major, took the People’s Choice award.

    The third runner-up winner was awarded to entertainment industry major Danielle Patten. Second runner-up was given to Victoria Roose, a music education major. Hamner received the first runner-up award.