Miss Leeds Area’s history of success in state and national pageants connected to community involvement

Published 5:15 pm Thursday, June 4, 2015

Holding the title of Miss Leeds Area means much more than just wearing a crown, it means you’re representing a community that considers you family.

Since 1980 Miss Leeds Area has represented the City of Valor with a long history of outstanding young women.

The legacy Miss Leeds Area began in 1980 with lifelong resident Paige Phillips Parnell. At her first attempt at the title of Miss Alabama, Paige took the crown and was named first runner-up at Miss America later that year.

Miss Leeds Area pageant director and Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandra McGuire said these young women have brought positive publicity to the City of Leeds.

“Paige had a huge contingency supporting her in Atlantic City at Miss America. In 1993 Leeds had the first African American winner, Kaylyn Chapman, who was also crowned Miss Alabama and was the third runner-up at Miss America. Then in 2005 Deidra Downs was crowned Miss Leeds Area, Miss Alabama and went on to become Miss America!”

Happy to serve as a confident leader for the Leeds community Miss Leeds Area’s duties include promoting Leeds businesses and organizations that are affiliated with the city and/or chamber of commerce.

Introducing guests from neighboring cities and states to the quaint charm of Leeds, the economic impact of having a pageant of this caliber affords the area to thrive as these visitors partake in local eateries, downtown shops and support various Leeds businesses.

Much like the city they represent, their valor is displayed with each poised movement. This grace is also seen in their platforms. Current Miss Leeds Area Elisabeth Chramer’s platform is Habitat for Humanity. McGuire says she is a top-7 finalist for her dedication to community service.

“Each Miss Alabama contestant works very hard to become the best they can be through community service as well as representing the areas they serve,” said McGuire.

Explaining the four points of the crown that is coveted by each contestant, McGuire said each point of the ultimate crown — Miss America represents scholarship, success, style and service.

“All of the contestants in the Miss Alabama preliminaries, such as Miss Leeds Area, portray these in their daily agendas. I could talk forever about the system and the opportunities it provides for these young women,” she said. “When you get to know these contestants and watch them work hard and achieve their dreams of completing college, debt-free in some cases, and securing the job of their dreams, it’s very rewarding to be associated with such a wonderful organization!”

In three out of the last four years Miss Leeds Area has taken the title of Miss Alabama.

Miss Leeds Area 2011 Courtney Porter (now Orazine), in 2013 hometown gal Chandler Champion and 2014’s Caitlin Brunell have reigned as Miss Alabama and gone on to represent Leeds and the great state of Alabama at Miss America.

McGuire and the community Miss Leeds Area 2015 Elisabeth Chramer now calls family is hoping for the trifecta this Sunday as she competes for the chance to be given the title she’s longed for — Miss Alabama.