Story by Nakeria Woods; Photos by Chandler Pittman

Miss University of South Alabama has returned for a second year after its thirteen-year-long hiatus. This event was held on October 4, 2025, at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. It showcased the beauty and various talents of thirteen young women, who are all undergraduate students at the University of South Alabama, as well as competitors from South’s Got Talent and a performance from last year’s Miss University of South Alabama. The young women competed for the chance to become the Miss University of South Alabama 2026 and for various scholarships. 

Opening the program was Trelan Wilson, this year’s winner of South’s Got Talent, with a beautiful acapella rendition of the National Anthem. She was followed by Executive Director Meredith Moody, who offered a warm welcome and introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies Briana Burrell. Burrell discussed the five areas of competition for the pageant: a private interview portion accounting for 30%, an onstage conversation accounting for 10%, and the evening wear, talent, and health and fitness competitions accounting for 20% each. The delegates were introduced with a dance number to the iconic song by the Spice Girls, “Spice Up Your Life.” 

The competition officially began with the Health and Fitness portion. The 13 delegates, dressed in all red athleisure, individually came across the stage to “1, 2 Step” by Ciara. During their walk, Burrell recounted the delegates’ answers to the question of what fitness means to them. Common themes were the connection between the body and the mind and spiritual wellness. 

After this portion, Maleigha Lewis, last year’s Miss University of South Alabama, reflected on her experience over the past year. She discussed how she was able to get her community service initiative to fight food insecurity made into a city holiday on August 1. 

After Lewis, the program transitioned into the talent competition. Each of the delegates demonstrated a talent of theirs, ranging from vocal performances to speed painting. This was followed by a lyrical praise dance by Lewis as the delegates prepared for the last portion of the competition, evening wear and onstage conversation. 

In this final section, the delegates presented their gorgeous evening gowns and answered questions about their community service initiatives. Before the winners were announced, there was a special vocal performance by Priscilla Foster, another competitor in South’s Got Talent Competition. 

The Talent and Evening Gown Preliminary Awards went to delegate 10, Sydnee Cantley, each award having a $250 scholarship attached. The Spirit of Miss University of South Alabama was awarded to delegate 6, Mendalyn Barber, also with a $250 scholarship reward. Delegate 1, Taleigh Taylor, was named the 3^rd alternate and received a scholarship of $750. Delegate 6, Medalyn Barber, was named the 2^nd alternate and received a scholarship of $1,250. Delegate 5, Aliyah Billot, was named the 1^st alternate and received a scholarship of $2,000. Last, but not least, delegate 10, Sydnee Cantley, was announced as the 2026 winner of the Miss University of South Alabama competition.

“This is truly a dream come true,” stated Cantley, the recently crowned winner. When talking to Cantley, she expressed her immense love for South and the Miss University of South Alabama organization. Her goal for her community service initiative is to bridge the gap between physical and mental health, inspired by her struggle with childhood illness and the unfortunate suicide of her mother. Cantley is excited to compete in Miss Alabama next summer. Billot, the 1^st alternate, communicated her tremendous gratitude for being able to share the stage with the other 12 delegates and for her incredible support system. Her community service initiative involved increasing legal education access to students. Barber, the 2^nd alternate, shared that she was shocked by her win as this was her first ever pageant. Her community service initiative involves connecting animal welfare and mental health. To keep up with Cantely’s journey as the 2026 Miss University of South Alabama, follow @missuofsouthalabama on Instagram.