The Mrs. Alabama America competition was hosted in Pell City at the Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) theatre last weekend.

Out of 13 contestants, the top six included Shelby Weinmann, Kristen Benford, Lacey Smith, Elizabeth Boger, Jennifer Tolbert and Mary Hall. 

Stacey Tollison received two awards. One was the Amity award, which was chosen by contestants and the other award was ad sales. Elizabeth Boger was First Alternate and also received the most photogenic award, while Lacey Smith won the People’s Choice Award. The Second Alternate went to Kristen Benford.  But it was Mary Hall of Pelham who took the crown and replaced former Mrs. Alabama 2017 Brittany Scoggins.  Mrs. Hall is a Moody alumnus.

 “It’s such an honor to represent such a beautiful state. I’m just honored and blessed, and I’m going to do my best to represent (Alabama) at nationals,” Hall said.

Her next step is prepping for the up-and-coming competition at Las Vegas, Nevada for Mrs. America.  If she wins, she will represent the United States for Mrs. World.

The judging categories are:  Beauty, Poise and Personality, Swimsuit (one piece) and Evening Gown.  Each category counts twenty five percent. Every contestant wore a red swimsuit during the swimsuit category, but a few switched to a different hue for the evening gown category.

Former Miss Alabama Brittany Scoggins spoke strongly about the friendship and sisterhood at pageants, and how participating in them can build your confidence. 

Aside from the pageant life, every contestant was married and had a family. Some go the extra mile to help others too. Shelby Weinmann, for example, helps teenagers with self-esteem problems. Lakethera Brandon, who won the award for Mask Creativity, is making a film on human trafficking to raise more awareness. Kristen Bennett served in the Army for 13 years and is currently in logistics. Over the years she’s been stationed in Afghanistan, Germany, North Korea and Italy.

The mission of the Mrs. Alabama America Pageant is to inspire married women to seek personal excellence through preparation and competition. The pageant is the only official Alabama preliminary competition to the prestigious Mrs. America Pageant.

Go to www.mrsalabamaamerica.com for more information.