Special to The Messenger

Kelly Hawkins, a Troy State University student from Troy, was named the first runner-up at the annual Miss Alabama Pageant Saturday night in Birmingham.

Ms. Hawkins finished in the three-way tie for first place in her talent preliminary on Friday night. She danced to "He’s My Son." She also won a swimsuit preliminary last Wednesday.

A former Miss Troy State University, Ms. Hawkins was making her second Miss Alabama Pageant appearance. She won the title of Miss Lake Harding Feb. 9

Scarlotte Deupree of Vestavia Hills, Miss Camellia, won the pageant in her fifth year of competition. She will compete in the annual Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in September.

The first runner-up finish by Ms. Hawkins was the best finish by a TSU student in the Miss Alabama Pageant since 1982, when Yolanda Fernandez won the Miss Alabama crown and was third runner-up in the Miss America Pageant.

A senior majoring in English, Miss Hawkins is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jack Hawkins, Jr. of Troy. She has actively promoted her pageant platform of child abuse awareness and prevention through televised and personal appearances and radio public service announcements. She is a member of Prevent Child Abuse America.

TSU was also represented in the pageant by Melissa McCord of Andalusia, Miss Troy State University 2002, who competed in her first Miss Alabama Pageant.

Ms. Hawkins’ first runner-up finish was not the only honor for Troy State University Saturday night in Birmingham. The Miss Troy State University Pageant received the best large pageant award and the award for best choreography.

According to Richelle Jefcoat, Miss Troy State University Pageant director, field directors nominate Miss Alabama preliminaries for pageant awards, with these awards presented during the Miss Alabama competition.

The TSU pageant was also nominated for most prizes awarded, best set decoration and best program book.