Young women will have the opportunity to step into the spotlight July 29 for a chance to be the first Miss Eastern Shore and Miss Eastern Shore Teen and represent the pageant at the Miss Alabama and Miss Alabama’s Teen 2024 pageant.

The inaugural Miss Eastern Shore Pageant is the work of director Walt James and organizers Karla Hardin and Kathryn Miller and a team of local volunteers. The team has been involved with the program in different locations over the years and opted to create something new in Baldwin County.

“We have seen the life-changing benefits for the contestants, both personally and professionally,” Hardin said. “Not only do they receive scholarships to help with their formal education, but they learn invaluable skills that translate to the workplace and everyday life. They learn they can make a contribution to society and take the initiative through various organizations they become involved with.”

Pageant director Walt James has been a volunteer with the Miss America organization for 49 years and as a resident of Daphne grew tired of seeing local young women travel to compete in preliminary competitions due to a lack of closer opportunities.

“A lot of the girls down here have been traveling north to compete in preliminaries. When you win a title, you then have to return to wherever you won the title to make appearances,” James said. “We decided that we would like to have another pageant down here where our girls will not have to go all the way to Montgomery or Birmingham to compete and make appearances. We want to open up South Alabama more.”

Baldwin County native and Gulf Shores High School graduate Lauren Bradford was crowned Miss Alabama in 2021 after she was crowned Miss Jefferson County. Gulf Coast Media interviewed Bradford after she was crowned Miss Alabama and during her reign, and each time she highlighted the importance of the pageant scholarships to her.

“The scholarship aspect of the Miss America program is so much fun to talk about because many people don’t realize the incredible opportunities it presents to young women to further their education,” Bradford said. “I was able to graduate from Auburn University debt-free. Now I will be attending Vanderbilt University and was really propelled to pursue a master’s degree because of scholarships I knew I had.”

Over the years, Bradford competed and won several titles and was awarded $388,050 in in-kind and cash scholarships. While some of the money and in-kind awards were not scholarships she opted to use (like scholarships to attend the University of Mobile, University of Montevallo and the University of South Alabama) her entire college education was funded by scholarships.

Bradford isn’t the only Alabama Gulf Coast native to win the Miss Alabama title. The reigning Miss Alabama 2023 Bri Burrell is a Mobile native and will also be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the Miss Eastern Shore pageant.

"I'm elated for the growth of the Miss Alabama Organization and the opportunity of Miss America to be extended to more prospective contestants who encompass goals of education, community engagement, and building relationships with empowered women— especially somewhere close to home,” said Burrell.

The pageant will be divided into two age groups: Miss Eastern Shore, ages 18-28, and Miss Eastern Shore Teen, ages 13-18. The competition includes a 10-minute private pre-interview, a 90-second talent presentation, evening gown/poise and fitness modeling segments as well as an onstage question from the judges’ panel. Each contestant must also be prepared to discuss the project she has chosen for her community service Initiative. The pageant is open to any Alabama resident.

The contestant crowned Miss Eastern Shore will earn a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Alabama pageant. Miss Eastern Shore Teen will receive a $300 scholarship and go on to compete at the state level.

James said there are currently three competitors for the Miss Eastern Shore and six for Miss Eastern Shore Teen, and more are expected.

Applications to compete will be accepted through July 24. For more information or to apply, email misseasternshoreAL@gmail.com.

Residents are invited to attend and cheer on the contestants July 29 on the Fairhope campus of Coastal Alabama Community College. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the pageant begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for $10.