UAB will award $4,500 in scholarships at the Miss UAB 2009 scholarship pageant, to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Alys Stephens Center.

The theme is "Miss UAB Stops Traffic." Seventeen young women will compete in five categories: interview, talent, eveningwear, swimsuit and onstage question. The pageant emcee this year is Mrs. Alabama 2008, Britni McMillan. Entertainment for the pageant will be Erica Leonardi, Miss UAB 2008, and pageant contestants.

Scholarships to be awarded are $1,800 for the winner: $750 for the first runner-up: $650 for the second runner-up; $550 for the third runner-up; $350 for the fourth runner-up; and $200 each for the Community Achievement Award winner and Talent Award winner.

Miss UAB 2009 pageant contestants are junior Sarah Duff of Vernon; sophomore Ashley Davis of Dothan; sophomore Emily Ann Latta of Dothan; junior Nicole McLean of Mobile; junior Amanda Wood of Pleasant Grove; junior Ivory Dale of Webb; first-year graduate student Miriam Baker of Clanton; junior Carly Lunceford of Clay; junior Tonya Cassady of Ashford; senior Spentressia Fenn of Brundidge; graduate student Amanda Allen of Springville; graduate student Tyra Williams of Birmingham; junior Jocelyn Gipson of Aliceville; senior Alana Jordan of Mountain Brook; junior Ashlee Quick of Chelsea; senior Stephanie Days of Kansas City, Mo.; and senior Lakeya Brantley of Brunswick, Ga.