University of Alabama graduate earns spot in Miss America pageant

A University of Alabama graduate will represent the state at the Miss America Pageant in December.

Lindsay Fincher, 22, of Wedowee was crowned Miss Alabama 2022 during a July 2 competition in Birmingham.

Fincher was one of 40 candidates from across Alabama who competed in front of a five-judge panel. She entered the competition representing her alma mater as Miss University of Alabama.

This was her third year competing for Miss Alabama.  In 2021, she was first runner-up.

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“This year I was prepared to take on the job of Miss Alabama, not just compete for it,” Fincher said in a UA news release. “My year of service as Miss University of Alabama prepared me for this role because of everything holding that title means — reaching out for sponsorships, having several media engagements, working with so many groups within UA and I just worked hands-on with so many people that I just felt so prepared for the role of Miss Alabama.”

In the Miss Alabama contest, Fincher tied in a talent preliminary competition and she was also a finalist for the Catherine Crosby Community Service Award.

Each contestant had a social impact pitch and Fincher's was Catalyst: Arts for All, a program she created in 2019 as a UA student.

Catalyst consists of lesson plans, a children’s book, a coloring book and avenues for advocacy with the goal of ensuring that all students in Alabama have access to the arts community.

“I have several meetings set up in every corner of the state it seems to help advance Catalyst and put the needs for arts on the national level,” said Fincher, who studied dance and political science at UA.

Fincher has already started her duties as Miss Alabama and is preparing to represent Alabama at the Miss America pageant.

“I’m fully engaged in this role and everything it entails in representing the state and expanding on the mission of Miss Alabama,” she said. “I want to recruit the next group of young women by showing them everything this program has to offer. There’s scholarship money and amazing opportunities for personal and professional growth.”

According to the Miss Alabama organization, the title of Miss Alabama comes with a $15,000 cash scholarship along with several sponsor gifts and services made available to the winner. Fincher will have access to health and fitness professionals, such as a dermatologist, dentist and personal trainer. Fincher also receives eye care and salon services in addition to a Miss America competition wardrobe.

Fincher said she plans to use her scholarship money to continue her education when her reign as Miss Alabama ends. She wants to earn her master’s degree and is also considering law school.

The University of Alabama was represented by 14 other candidates in the Miss Alabama competition:

• Hannah Adams, Miss Covered Bridge, winner of the Catherine Crosby Community Service Award

• Hannah Beall, Miss Gardendale Magnolia, finalist of eight for a STEM scholarship

• Taylor Blatchford, Miss Iron City, top 12 finalist

• Madison Chapman, Miss Centennial

• Ibby Dickson, Miss Jefferson County, red carpet preliminary winner and Top 12 finalist

• Mary Catherine Dulaney, Miss Cotton State, non-finalist talent winner

• Lydia Fisher, Miss Walker County, finalist of eight for a STEM scholarship and Top 12 finalist

• Leah Humble, Miss Tuscaloosa,  finalist of eight for the Catherine Crosby Community Service Award

• Chaney Scott McCorquodale, Miss Baldwin County

• Jessica Patterson, Miss River City, non-finalist talent winner

• Taylor Simmons, Miss Capital City

• Maggie Tubbs, Miss Singing River, finalist of eight for a STEM scholarship

• Eden Webb, Miss Tennessee Valley,  second runner-up for a STEM scholarship

• Lacey Wood, Miss Sylacauga, non-finalist talent winner

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: University of Alabama graduate earns spot in Miss America pageant