Summer Abston of Butler crowned Miss UWA 2017

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—Summer Abston of Butler, Ala., is the new Miss University of West Alabama and will represent the University in the 2017 Miss Alabama Pageant, a Miss America preliminary held in Birmingham in June.

Miss UWA 2016 Sarah Neill crowned Abston, joined by special guests University President Ken Tucker and LUie the Tiger. Abston also won the swimsuit competition of the evening. Miss Alabama 2016 Hayley Barber served as emcee for the evening.

The daughter of Marshall and Michelle Abston, her jazz dancing talent was to “Ma, He’s Makin’ Eyes at Me” by Teresa Brewer. Her platform is Autism awareness.

A freshman integrated marketing communications major, Abston is a member of the Ambush Student Section. She enjoys spending time with family, cheering on the tigers, dancing, watching sports, and baking.

Kennedi Sanders was named first alternate. She is a junior psychology major from Columbus, Miss. The daughter of Donnie and Renee Sanders, her talent was a contemporary dance to “Unsteady” by Savannah Outen Cover.

Sanders is a recipient of a band/dance scholarship. She is captain of the UWA Stars of Alabama dance team and enjoys teaching dance and spending time with her friends and family.

Lillie Brewer was named second alternate and winner of the talent competition. She is a freshman elementary education major from Helena, Ala. The daughter of Jamie and Angie Brewer, her baton twirling talent was performed to “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins.

Brewer is a recipient of several academic and leadership scholarships. She is also a Tigerette and a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. She enjoys baton twirling, traveling, volunteering for the Special Olympics and going to Broadway plays.

Virginia Latimore was named third alternate. She is a junior interdisciplinary arts major from Foley, Ala. The daughter of Siberina Moore, her vocal talent was “Caro Mio Ben” by Giuseppe Giordani.

Latimore is a recipient of the Interact scholarship, as well as a choral and band/dance scholarship. She is a former Stars of Alabama Dancer and UWA Ambassador. Latimore is a UWA singer and enjoys traveling, exercising, and acting.

Miss Alabama 2016 Hayley Barber (left) was emcee of the Miss UWA 2017 pageant. Summer Abston (center) was crowned Miss UWA 2017 by Miss Alabama 2016 Sarah Neill.

Pictured left to right at the Miss UWA 2017 pageant held Nov. 17 are Lillie Brewer, Kennedi Sanders, Summer Abston, and Virginia Latimore.

Summer Abston, a freshman integrated marketing communications major from Butler, Ala., was crowned Miss UWA 2017 at Thursday night’s event.

Summer Abston, a freshman integrated marketing communications major from Butler, Ala., was crowned Miss UWA 2017 at Thursday night’s event.

Virginia Latimore, a junior interdisciplinary arts major from Foley, Ala., was named third alternate at the Miss UWA 2017 pageant.

Lillie Brewer, a freshman elementary education major from Helena, Ala., was named second alternate and won the talent competition at the Miss UWA 2017 pageant.

Kennedi Sanders, a junior psychology major from Columbus, Miss., was named first alternate at the Miss UWA 2017 pageant.

UWA President Ken Tucker and LUie congratulate newly crowned Miss UWA 2017 Summer Abston.