A crown studded with jewels, a ring of her choice and full tuition are a few perks this year’s 2014 Miss UNA will be taking home.

This year’s pageant marks the 40-year-anniversary of the first Miss UNA pageant in 1974, formerly Miss FSU for Florence State University. The theme of the competition will be “Miss UNA Celebrates 40 Years by Rocking Through the Ages.”

The first 21 girls to apply for the competition are guaranteed to get in, said Tyler Thompson, assistant director for programming.

“There will be 16 girls competing in the competition and all are from a varied array of majors,” Thompson said.

Each contestant will go through a private interview process, which the audience will not see. Then, they will perform an opening number, act out a talent, participate in the lifestyle and fitness (swimsuit) portion and take part in the eveningwear finale, Thomspon said.

Each act counts for a certain percentage of the overall 100 percent, Thompson said.

Music education major and Miss UNA contestant Meredith Hamner believes a contestant’s platform should be her biggest endeavor, she said.

“I am very passionate about music education and mentally handicapped children,” she said. “They deserve to have the right to a music class despite any disabilities.”

Miss UNA will be awarded a variety of different prizes donated by local establishments in the Shoals area, Thompson said.

“Apart from the crown, the winner will receive full tuition, a custom ring from Creative Jewelers, hair care for a year from Salon Mod, a voice lesson from Linda Young Studio, and a dress allowance from Proms and Promises,” Thompson said.

The Miss UNA competition is one out of over 50 official preliminary competitions for Miss Alabama in the state, he said.

The winner of the Miss UNA competition will go on to compete in the Miss Alabama competition in November, Thompson said.

Susie Vaughn Raney, 1975 Miss Florence State, said there is a deeper meaning behind this pageant.

“Do not think of this as a beauty pageant,” she said. “That’s why talent and scholarship are included.”

Raney encourages the contestants to enjoy friendships and discover how good it feels to help fellow contestants do their best, too, she said.

“Whether you win or not, you can find what you have to “own” to succeed in life by just competing,” Raney said.

A new community service award will be awarded to the contestant with the most significant community service. The UNA bookstore is sponsoring the $50 award.

“This award is all about service,” Thompson said. “The goal is to make that award even bigger next year.”

The Miss UNA pageant will be held Saturday, Jan. 25 in Norton Auditorium starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12, but students can pick up free tickets with a mane card in the Office of Student Engagement.

Editor’s note: For updates during the pageant, follow us on Twitter at @UNAFlorAla.