Gunderman seeks crown for Miss Alabama

BIRMINGHAM — Lara Gunderman, who was crowned Miss Northwest Shoals, will be among a field of 43 contestants taking part this week in at least four days of preliminary competitions at this year’s Miss Alabama scholarship pageant.

Gunderman of Phil Campbell was a dual enrolled freshman at NWSCC when she was crowned in early February.

She is one of six young women from Franklin, Lauderdale and Colbert counties participating.

The preliminary and finals competitions, which started Tuesday at the Wright Center at Samford University, will continue through Saturday.

Four of the six local contestants are current students or alums of the University of North Alabama.

Miss Iron City Jada Winston and Miss UNA Caroline Coleman are current students at the UNA.

Joining Winston and Coleman are alums Lauren Vance and Samantha Hennings. Vance was crowned Miss Tennessee Valley and graduated from the UNA this month.

Hennings, who was crowned Miss Leeds Area, earned her bachelor’s degree from UNA and will be attending the Faulkner University School of Law this fall.

The last time a student from UNA was crowned Miss Alabama was Pam Battles in 1983.

Miss Shoals Area Harper Howard of Hayden is the sixth participant from the area.

The competition kicked off on Tuesday with interviews for two groups. The interviews continue today, and then all of the contestants will take part in one of three competitions — talent/ rising star, onstage question and health and fitness and evening gown.

The preliminaries will continue through Friday.

The semifinalists will be announced, and Miss Alabama 2025 will be crowned on Saturday.