South Coast Times

Miss University of Alabama Lindsay Fincher has been crowned Miss Alabama 2022. She was one of 40 candidates from across Alabama who competed in front of a five-judge panel in the categories of interview, red carpet, talent and social impact pitch, formerly known as platform. Fincher tied in a talent preliminary and was also a finalist for the Catherine Crosby Community Service Award.

This is Fincher’s third year competing for Miss Alabama and she finished last year as first runner-up. She said those years of experience ultimately prepared her to win the crown. “This year I was prepared to take on the job of Miss Alabama, not just compete for it,” she said. “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.”

The candidate-favorite category, social impact pitch, allowed the young women to share their passion projects with the judges and audience. Fincher, a recent UA graduate who studied dance and political science, shared her passion — Catalyst: Arts for All, a program she created in 2019 that consists of lesson plans, a children’s book, a coloring book and avenues for advocacy to get every student in Alabama a chance to be exposed to the arts community. Initially a University Fellows Experience project during Fincher’s freshman year, Catalyst is something she hopes will gain great traction through her service as Miss Alabama.

“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,” Fincher explained.

Fincher’s Miss Alabama duties started almost immediately, including preparing to represent Alabama at the Miss America Pageant in December and more.

“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.”

Fincher said she plans to use her scholarship money to continue her education when her reign as Miss Alabama 2022 comes to an end. She wants to earn her master’s degree and is thinking about law school as well.

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. She is given 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.

The University of Alabama was represented by 14 other candidates in the Miss Alabama as well, many of whom won preliminaries, scholarship money and placed in the Top 12:

• 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

Original source can be found here