Left to right: third alternate Paige Severino, first alternate Mikaylah Dugans, winner Harley Chapin, second alternate Vishwadha Gunda, and fourth alternate Sheridan Pike. Harley Chapin of Columbiana was named Miss UAB 2017 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
The Miss UAB Scholarship Pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama and Miss America pageants. Eight young women competed in this year’s pageant, with the theme “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” UAB Student Involvement and Leadership presents the pageant.
Chapin, 20, is a junior art studio graphic design major in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art and Art History. She is the daughter of Sonja and Gary Chapin. As the winner, she was awarded a $2,500 scholarship, a floral arrangement, and a Bella’s Pageant & Prom $500 gift certificate.
The first alternate is Mikaylah Dugans, 18, of Springville, a freshman biomedical sciences major in the School of Health Professions and daughter of Tawana Toles. As first alternate, she was awarded a $750 scholarship and a floral arrangement. She was also awarded the Miracle Maker award, with a $150 scholarship and certificate, and the Talent award for her clogging routine, with a $200 scholarship and trophy.
Second alternate is Vishwadha Gunda, 18, of Montgomery, a freshman business management major in the Collat School of Business and daughter of Jyothi and Vikram Gunda. She was awarded a $650 scholarship and a floral arrangement.
Third alternate is Paige Severino, 19, of Enterprise, a sophomore biomedical engineering major in the School of Engineering and the daughter of Erik Severino. She was awarded a $550 scholarship and a floral arrangement. Severino was also awarded the Miss Congeniality award, with a $250 scholarship and trophy.
Fourth alternate is Sheridan Pike, 21, of Dothan, a senior nursing major in the School of Nursing and the daughter of Tana Pike. She was awarded a $350 scholarship and a floral arrangement. Pike was named the Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit winner, with a $100 scholarship and trophy.
Divine Design Formalwear awarded gift certificates to the winner and alternates. Each contestant was given a pair of earrings from Kendra Scott.