It is 30 minutes until the start of the Miss University of Mobile competition, and the dressing rooms are filled with quiet chatter as the contestants prepare.
In each room, young women can be seen leaning over long mirrors to reapply lipstick or put the finishing touches to their pristinely styled hair. Encouraging words are passed between them as the time grows closer for the ladies to step on stage. Despite the nerves present, there is a sense of fun and camaraderie shared.
They have been preparing for this moment for two months, and their hard work is evident as each one navigates the stage with grace and poise. At the end of the night, with the winner for Miss UM seconds away from being announced, the audience grows silent in anticipation.
Then, to the backdrop of celebratory shouts and applause, Chesed Turner steps into the spotlight and is crowned Miss University of Mobile 2025.
Turner, a junior musical theater major from Niceville, Florida, will carry on the legacy of serving as a representative for the Christian university in the upcoming year.
“It almost doesn’t feel real,” said Turner the next day. “I woke up this morning and saw the crown in my box and was like, ‘What is that doing there?’”
‘Created to Create’
In her time as Miss University of Mobile, Turner aims to grow the program of Miss UM and her platform, “Created to Create,” which focuses on bringing different outlets of expression and creativity to both the campus and its students.
Besides the mental and physical benefits that the act of being creative brings, Turner also highlights how interwoven it is into humanity.
“We know that God is our Creator, but we often forget that He is creative,” Turner said. “And to have Him as our Creator, to be created in His image, means that we are creative ourselves. That is a part of His very nature, and therefore, it’s a part of ours.”
Beyond these plans, Turner’s primary goal in life and as Miss UM is to be an example of God’s love to others.
“The judges asked me what my name means in my interview, and it means ‘God’s eternal lovingkindness,’” Turner said. “My name is literally a testament of who Christ is and my goal in life is to exemplify that and exemplify it well for God’s glory.”
Award recipients
Also earning honors at the Miss University of Mobile competition on Jan. 31 were:
- Jaycie Tungett from Leakesville, Mississippi, who placed first runner-up and won the People’s Choice Award. She received $3,350 in scholarships.
- Caitlyn Ozee from Bourbonnais, Illinois, placed second runner-up. She received $2,000 in scholarships.
- Kennedy Bradford from Vernon, Alabama, placed third runner-up. Bradford received $1,000 in scholarships.
- Allegra Fuller from Mobile, Alabama, was the recipient of the Talent Award and Miss Congeniality. She received $850 in scholarships.
A fond farewell
The audience bid a fond farewell to Miss University of Mobile of 2024, AnnaKatherine Bell, with a standing ovation after her humous and heartwarming performance of “Taylor, the Latte Boy” by Kristin Chenoweth.
Bell will leave the university with one final and visible reminder of her “Growth Project” by planting daylilies in front of Martin Hall.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was written by Noelle Foster at the University of Mobile.
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