Jessica Proctor is seen here after winning the title of Miss Leeds Area 2017.

Leeds has much to talk about this week with two different Miss Leeds Area girls winning state titles one week apart and go on to compete for the Miss America crown in September.

Miss Briana Kinsey, Miss Leeds Area 2016, won the title of Miss District of Columbia 2017 this weekend. Her platform for the competition was, “Daring to Defeat Diabetes” and her talent 

voice singing, “Born for This.” Briana, originally from Hoover, attended the University of Alabama.  She moved to DC to attend American University to continue to pursue her dreams and goals and plans to work as a pediatric endocrinologist.

Miss Jessica Procter, Miss Leeds Area 2017, won the title of Miss Alabama 2017 last weekend at Samford University. Jessica’s platform is, “Step Up to the Plate,” a partnership with the West Alabama Food Bank to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger. For the talent competition, Jessica sang “Over the Rainbow.” She is a senior at the University of Alabama.

Sandra McGuire, Miss Leeds Area director, was able to watch the DC pageant live streaming on Facebook. She knew Briana would be a strong contender and very happy for her accomplishments. Sandra and the Miss Leeds Committee participated in the Miss Alabama pageant all week long cheering Jessica on to victory with the Miss Alabama crown. Both girls are talented and have done a phenomenal job representing the greater Leeds area. Briana, Miss District of Columbia 2017, and Jessica, Miss Alabama 2017, will go on to represent the two states in the Miss America 2018 Pageant scheduled for Sept. 10, in Atlantic City.  

Looking back on Miss Leeds Area history, Miss Leeds Area titleholders are serious contenders in state and national pageants. Paige Phillips, Miss Leeds Area, won Miss Alabama 1980 and was first runner up to Miss America 1981. Deidra Downs, Miss Leeds Area, won Miss Alabama 2004 and Miss America 2005. Chandler Champion, Miss Leeds Area, won Miss Alabama 2013.

The Miss Leeds Area 2018 Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Leeds High School Auditorium located at . 

For more information about Miss Leeds Area, please visit the website at www.missleedsarea.net or contact Sandra McGuire, Miss Leeds Area Director, at (205) 699-5001.