Sparkman grad wins first Miss Madison County
Breana Watkins is crowned Miss Madison County photo by Dave Brown
On Oscar Night, Madison had their own version of the red carpet as the city hosted the first annual Miss Madison County pageant, a qualifier for Miss Alabama.
Pageant director Nakeva Pulley organized the event on short notice and eight girls competed for scholarships and most importantly, a spot in the Miss Alabama pageant to be held in June at Samford University.
Breanna Watkins, a 2008 graduate of Sparkman, won the talent award dancing to ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ from the musical Hairspray. She was named the winner by the five judge panel.
Chasity Doster, who won the swimsuit contest, was first runner up. Katie Gilhooly, a student at Alabama, was second runner up.
Two contestants came from Decatur, one from Red Bay, one from UAB, and a high school senior from Crossville.
Watkins is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. She works at Boeing.
In only her fourth time to compete in a qualifying pageant, she overcame some stiff competition. Allison Morrow of Red Bay sang opera, and Chasity Doster sang ‘My Way’.
“This will be my first trip to Miss Alabama,” Watkins said. “I’m very excited. I’ve enjoyed meeting all these contestants and making friends with them. I’m just glad to be a part of it. The judges were so sweet and nice. The contestants were helpful as always and I love being in this atmosphere.”
The pageant was held at the Madison Worship Center on Feb. 24. There are 51 Miss Alabama qualifying pageants held across the state.
Miss Alabama Field Director Carolyn Eastland was present at the event which was held on the final weekend for Miss Alabama preliminaries.
“It’s a new pageant and young contestants,” Eastland said after the event. “For a first time pageant they did a good job. Next year she will have more time to organize it and it will get better as they have more experience,” said Eastland who said this was the first Miss Alabama preliminary held in Madison that she could remember.
Girls age 17 -24 can compete in Miss America. They must be at least high school seniors and can be college graduates. Contestants select a public service platform and go through an interview, swimsuit, and evening gown competition. Girls are judged on their ability to be articulate, confident, and knowledge of current issues. Winners are major contributors to public service.
“I’m very pleased, this was exciting for me being my first year doing this,” said organizer Nekeva Pulley who also provided entertainment with her singing group. “I’m very happy with the turnout.”
Pulley lives in Florence and works at Alabama A&M. “This is where I am looking to move,” she said of her connection to Madison. “I tried to have this event at Alabama A&M and was not allowed to so I chose to hold my own local preliminary here.”
Pulley said next year with more time to organize the event “we want to have more sponsors, more contestants, and a bigger venue.
