Championing a tradition

Published 10:06 am Thursday, August 29, 2013

Perfecting her en point routine, polishing her interview skills and poising herself for the Miss America competition have been on Miss Alabama Chandler Champion’s to do list for the past few months, but Sunday she enjoyed a little time to visit with supporters at the Miss Alabama send off party.

Hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce, Champion was able to laugh with friends and receive well wishes from fans hoping she’s crowned Miss America in just a few short weeks.

Neighbors across the country can help Champion make it into the Top 15 Finalists by logging onto www.missamerica.org/videocontest and voting.

Due to her success as an ambassador for the state of Alabama and the wonderful way she represented Leeds as Miss Leeds Area 2013, Leeds Mayor David Miller presented Champion with a key to the city.

“It’s wonderful to say I got my start in Leeds as Miss Leeds Area Outstanding Teen in 2007,” said Champion. “And I’m honored to say I finished here as well. It’s strange to imagine that I only have one more pageant to compete in, in my life. But it’s the Superbowl of pageants, and I will represent my state to the best of my ability.”

Excited to have what she calls “an amazing wardrobe” throughout the week’s competition at Miss America, Champion said she’s thrilled to say she’s going (literally) dressed to impress.

Friends from Leeds, a long-time friend from Texas who’s now a University of Alabama student and life long friends attended the send off party to ensure Champion feels confident as she makes her way to Atlantic City.

Shane Champion, Chandler’s dad, was touched when 91-year-old Howard Woodard of Munford, AL walked into the party.

“I can’t believe they came all this way,” Shane said.

Shane grew up with Woodard and felt honored they would drive from his hometown to support Chandler in achieving one of her life long dreams.

Several familiar faces were in the crowd too as other Miss Alabama contestants joined in the celebration.

“You always hear that we’re all catty and don’t get along, but Chandler is the reason I got into pageants,” said Briana Kinsey. “We all support one another.”

Looking forward to the Miss America pageant and going back to its birthplace in Atlantic City Nan Teninbaum, President of the Miss Alabama Pageant Board of Directors said it’s all about tradition.

“We’re excited it’s going home, back to Atlantic City,” said Teninbaum. “Tradition wise, it’s all coming back—the arrival ceremony facing the ocean at Boardwalk Hall, each titleholder signing their state on a map and the Show Us Your Shoes parade. We’re excited.”

Greeting each guest with that Champion smile Chandler was caught completely off guard when Miller announced August 25^th, in the City of Leeds, as Chandler Champion Day.

Anyone looking to cheer Champion on can make their way to the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center located at 8140 Parkway Drive in historic downtown Leeds as they host a Miss America viewing party, Sunday, September 15^th at 7 p.m.

Eager to let her state pride shine, tune in to see Champion conquer the boardwalk at the 87th Miss America pageant, September 15^th live on ABC.