Auburn-Opelika selected to host the 2012 Miss Alabama USA ® and Miss Alabama Teen USA ® pageants

Barron Rae Williams (left) and Madeline Mitchell (Right)

The city of Auburn  has been selected as the official host city of the Miss Alabama USA and Miss Alabama Teen USA pageants, which will take place November 4-6, 2011, at the Auburn Performing Arts Center. The pageants are the official state preliminaries to the Miss USA ® and Miss Teen USA ® pageants, which are part of the Miss Universe Organization, an NBC Universal and Donald J. Trump Partnership.  Miss Alabama USA 2011, Madeline Mitchell, was named 2nd runner up at the nationally-televised Miss USA pageant, and Miss Alabama Teen USA 2011, Barron Rae Williams, is competing for the Miss Teen USA crown, which will be presented at the Atlantis Resort Bahamas.

The pageants will feature an estimated 150 contestants between the ages of 14-26, who will compete in interview, swimsuit, and evening gown competitions. They will be competing for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes as well as the opportunity to travel the state promoting the pageants and its charitable alliances and the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent the state of Alabama at the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants.

In addition to a new host city, the pageant is adding another exciting change. The Miss Alabama USA & Miss Alabama Teen USA “Little Sisters” program is a non-competitive mentoring program for girls 5-12. “Every little girl lights up whenever they catch a glimpse of the sparkle in the crown,” said Dye. “The addition of the Little Sisters program will give them an opportunity to spend the weekend playing princess with their very special Big Sisters.”

“The essence of Miss Alabama USA and Miss Alabama Teen USA is of beauty, grace and charm, and I believe that Auburn embodies those same qualities,” said Dye. “The staff of the Tourism Bureau and the Auburn community as a whole have been exceptional. I feel very confident that the contestants will fall in love with Auburn.”

“The Auburn-Opelika area is extremely proud to be the new home for the Miss Alabama USA and Miss Alabama Teen USA pageants. This event will again place us on the national level of events,” said John Wild, president of the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau. “Our staff looks forward to working with Mr. Dye and the entire organization. This is the type event we work to bring to the area, not only creating lodging tax but an estimated $750,000-900,000 in economic impact.” For more information, contact Dohn Dye at 205-826-2992.