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The University of West Alabama will welcome Miss Alabama 2018 Callie Walker to the UWA campus to emcee the 37th annualMiss University of West Alabama (Miss UWA) Competition on Friday, January 18, at 7 p.m., in UWA’s Bibb Graves Auditorium.

Contestants will compete in five phases of competition, including private interview, on-stage question, lifestyle and fitness, evening wear and talent portions. During the competition, each contestant will also discuss her chosen platform, a social or community issue of concern to herself andour society at large.

The winner of the Miss UWA Competition will be awarded $8,000 in scholarship funds for her educational goals. Another $3,400 will be awarded topreliminary competition winners, runners-up and special award winners, such as Eckert Family sponsored awards including Community Service Award, Spirit Award and Excellence Award.

During her year of service, Miss UWA will serve as an ambassador for the University speaking to officials, business leaders, community groups andall types of citizens about her platform issue and encouraging them to become involved in their local community.

She will also go on to compete for the title of Miss Alabama in Birmingham this June. The winner of the Miss Alabama competition will go on to compete in the Miss America competition.

Miss UWA will also choose a Rising Star, a young lady in the community between the ages of 7 and 11 to mentor and be recognized on the Miss Alabama stage. Suzanna Bell (daughter of Rodney and Claire Bell) of Demopolis, Ala., served as this year’s Rising Star.

Miss UWA 2018 Kennedi Sanders of Columbus , Miss., will crown the new titleholder.

The event is open to the public. General admission is $5, and UWA students are admitted free with valid student ID.

For more information about the Miss UWA Competition, please call 205-652-5442.