Kylie Watkins, of Trussville, was crowned Miss University of Mobile (UM) 2009 Jan. 31. She will compete in the Miss Alabama Pageant June 3–6 in Birmingham.
Watkins received a one-year, full-tuition scholarship; an allowance for wardrobe; and additional prizes. Along with the crown, Watkins won the swimsuit competition, earning additional scholarship money. She was also awarded the People’s Choice Award by her peers and faculty who attended the event.
“Of course, I felt overwhelmed, shocked and excited. Most importantly, I felt privileged that God would trust me with such a tremendous responsibility,” Watkins said about being crowned Miss UM 2009.
Watkins, the daughter of Tom and Ann Watkins and a member of Clearview Baptist Church, Pinson, is a sophomore majoring in elementary education. As Miss UM, Watkins plans to promote her platform, which strongly encourages abstinence from sex until marriage.
“As Miss UM 2009, I will seek God’s will by serving others and promoting my platform of abstinence. I also want students to know that through my reign as Miss UM, I will act as their voice and speak out about their concerns and ideas,” she said.
Miss UM also serves as the official hostess of the university. Her responsibilities include participation in alumni activities, homecoming, dedications, receptions and various community and student events.
“I hope to develop deep, lifelong friendships with the students while serving as their official ambassador, representative and friend,” Watkins said.
“Being named Miss UM 2009 was certainly not in my plans for life, but thankfully God’s plan for me is better than anything I could have imagined.”
Others who won prizes in the Miss UM 2009 pageant were:
– Catherine Odom, a junior music education major from St. Stephens. She was named first runner-up and honored with a scholarship. Odom also was awarded a scholarship for winning the talent portion of the competition.
– Paige McCauley, a freshman elementary education major from Montgomery. She was named Miss Congeniality and honored with a scholarship.
All contestants in the Miss UM pageant received a scholarship in recognition of their participation.
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