This story is one of resilience, transformation, and passion. Sydnee Cantley, born in Beckley, West Virginia, experienced a childhood marked by intense challenges. At the age of seven, she experienced the loss of her mother. In early 2013, Cantley moved to Fairhope, Alabama, to live with her grandparents, who later adopted her. During her freshman and sophomore years at Fairhope High School, Cantley faced another obstacle—battling pediatric thyroid cancer, not once, but twice. However, her perseverance paid off when she was declared cancer-free in 2021. Graduating from Fairhope High School in 2023, Cantley continued to pursue her academic and personal goals. She is currently a sophomore here at the University of South Alabama, majoring in advertising and public relations with a minor in political science. 

Cantley was introduced to the Miss America Organization at the age of 13, inspired by a baton-twirling teammate who competed in the Miss Alabama’s Teen program. “I never considered competing at the time,” said Cantley. Initially focused on competitive twirling, she achieved state and national championships. After, her perspective shifted following the death of her beloved coach, Stacy Forbess, in 2021. In search of a new outlet, she decided to participate in the Miss Alabama’s Teen preliminary competition. Remarkably, she won her first preliminary on Forbess’s birthday, “I always say that the crown was for her,” she shared. This victory ignited a passion for the Miss America Organization and its mission, leading Cantley to continue competing in pageants.

Cantley’s climb in the Miss America Organization is marked by her achievements in various pageants, each of which has played a crucial role in her journey to becoming a standout competitor. In her brief, yet decorated pageant career, Cantley has been crowned Miss Mobile Bay’s Teen 2022, Miss Gulf Coast 2023, and Miss Tuscaloosa 2024.

The significance of these titles extends beyond the physical crown. Each title has been a platform to amplify her voice and advocate for important causes, such as her own service initiative Adolescent Wellness Checkups (AWC). Her cancer diagnosis happened when she was fourteen years old. Cantley stated, “Going through this process, I have become more aware of my body and how I feel daily. But, I am cancer free, which is a blessing for me to say!”

On Dec. 3, 2012, she lost her mother to suicide. She shared, “I was only seven years old. My life completely changed when my mom passed, and I still can’t believe how young I was to have experienced such a great loss.”  These two events “changed the trajectory” of Cantley’s life, but she learned, “There is hope, and there are many ways to get help,” leading to her inspiration for her service initiative, AWC. She began AWC in 2021 to encourage parents to bring their children in for checkups. “Over the past few years, I have developed AWC’s mission to encompass a broader message: the intersection of physical and mental health.”

Cantley has met with many clubs such as Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, and other philanthropic groups in the local area to talk about her service mission. She has partnered with many organizations, including Children’s of Alabama, where she helped raise over $80,000 for pediatric patients, Alabama Department of Mental Health, and the Alabama Chapter of  American Academy of Pediatrics. She has worked with Fairhope and Daphne Mayors, State Representatives, Mobile County Commissioners, and partnered with Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey to create Adolescent Wellness Checkup Day in the state of Alabama, which is Aug. 17! She even wrote and published a children’s coloring book titled “Bee Healthy: Encouraging Children’s Healthy Habits.” Cantley says, “By spreading the word about the importance of preventive care and taking care of your physical and mental health, I hope I can prevent someone from having a different ending to their story.”

For Cantley, competing in Miss Alabama 2023 was an “eye-opening” experience that offered both challenges and cherished memories. As she prepared for Miss Alabama 2024, Cantley focused on giving her best effort without being preoccupied by the result. When asked about her preparation and goals, she said, “When I was preparing for this year’s competition, I had one main goal in mind, and that was to put my everything into what I did on that stage and to not focus on the outcome or where I would place. I think having that mindset was very beneficial for me in that season of my life.”

Looking back on her journey, Cantley has openly acknowledged the crucial role played by those who have supported and guided her along the way. She credits her grandparents as foundational figures in her life, their unwavering support has been instrumental in shaping the person she is today. “My grandma and grandpa are the mother and father figures in my life, and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for me,” she shared, “My Grandma and Grandpa are the biggest blessings in my life.” She also extends her gratitude to her Miss Tuscaloosa director, Russell Howard. She recognizes several other individuals who have been inspirational in her development. Cantley revels in the importance of her friendships, noting how fortunate she feels to have a circle of people who consistently have her back. 

In July 2023, after competing in the Miss Alabama pageant for the first time, Cantley had another matter ahead of her. “I did some research and found out that the Miss University of South Alabama Pageant hadn’t occurred in over 10 years,” she said. She reached out to University President Jo Bonner to explain the benefits of returning the Miss USA program back to campus. Soon later, a meeting was held with President Bonner, Vice President Andi Kent, Mike Mitchell, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs, Cantley and Larry Andrews, Miss Mobile Bay Director, to discuss the matter. “I am so thrilled that the program is coming back to South after 13 years. This is such a great opportunity for young women to grow, learn more about themselves, make new friends, and earn scholarship money,” Cantley says. Oct. 5, 2024, one young woman will be crowned Miss University of South Alabama.

As a Jaguar, the experience of competing in the Miss Alabama pageant was not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the supportive community surrounding South Alabama. With over 250 student organizations, the university offers many opportunities for engagement. Among these, Cantley has made a significant mark in roughly one year. She serves as a Feature Twirler with the Jaguar Marching Band, a member of Chi Omega, and an Honors College student. Her roles as Student Government’s Student-At-Large and as a Southbound Orientation leader highlight her commitment to her peers and reflect her school pride. 

She has found that engaging in various organizations has elevated her college experience and led to lasting friendships. “I am a firm believer that getting involved is a game changer to your college experience as a whole, and these organizations are where you will meet your people,” she said. She shows gratitude for her life at South Alabama, attributing much of her personal growth and success to the diverse and dynamic organizations on campus. She expresses, “Being able to represent South Alabama on the Miss Alabama stage was an honor, and there are no words to describe the pride I have for this university. I am proud to call South my home, and I am proud to be a Jaguar.”