by Naquela Kirk (Assistant Director of Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)
On November 9, senior bioinformatics major Melissa Mercer of Spanish Fort, Alabama, was crowned the 42nd Miss University of Alabama at Birmingham.
UAB’s Student Involvement and Leadership hosted the annual scholarship competition in the Hill Student Center ballrooms. This year, twelve contestants showcased their unique talents, personalities, and grace.
Lacey Johnson, Miss UAB 2024, introduced the mistress of ceremony for the event, Elizabeth Miller, Miss UAB 2022, who started the night with the on-stage interview portion, with each contestant being asked about their community service initiatives. Judges met with contestants earlier in the day for preliminary interviews.
UAB student Georgianna Khong performed a flute solo before the contestants took to the stage for the health and fitness competition. Contestants spoke about their goals and what physical, mental, and spiritual health means while demonstrating their fitness in activewear donated by Rebel Athletics.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Talent competition. Each contestant showcased their talent, giving insight into their skill and personality. Mercer demonstrated her skill in Taekwondo, showcasing precision and technique in stick-fighting, flipping, and ending with a split while breaking a board. Emily Boles, Miss UAB 2025 first runner-up, performed a crowd-rousing rendition of Etta James’s “At Last.”
The final presentation of the night was the evening gown portion, where each contestant walked across the stage, showcasing their individual grace and personal style. Before Miss UAB 2023 gave her final farewell walk, UAB student Amari Hickman performed“Risk It All” by H.E.R. featuring Usher.
This year, the competition awarded more than $5,500 in scholarship awards to the winner, alternates, and special award recipients. After Johnson's farewell, Melissa Mercer was crowned Miss UAB 2025. She also received the Miss Congeniality and Talent Awards, a $2,200 scholarship, and other prizes that will aid her in the Miss Alabama Competition next summer.
The Miss UAB Competition was established in 1983. Since 1993, the event has been an official preliminary competition to the Miss Alabama and Miss America pageants.