Alabama
Miss Alabama USA 2024: Miss Southern Plains wins the crown
Diane Westhoven, a student at Auburn University, is the new Miss Alabama USA.
Westhoven, who competed as Miss Southern Plains, was crowned Saturday night during a ceremony at the Gogue Performing Arts Center in Auburn. She’ll move on to compete in the Miss USA pageant later this year.
Westhoven was one of 34 women vying for the title of Miss Alabama USA 2024. She participated in interview, swimsuit and evening gown segments during preliminaries, and moved on to the finals Saturday night.
READ: Miss Alabama USA 2024: Meet 34 women competing for the crown
Sophie Burzynski, Miss Alabama USA 2023, crowned her successor at the pageant, which was streamed online via PageantsLive.
Westhoven, from Vestavia Hills, is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at Auburn. Her goal is to become a physician’s assistant focusing on “the total health of young women,” according to the Miss Alabama USA pageant. Westhoven previously competed for Miss Alabama USA 2023, and took third place last year as Miss Southern Plains.
Ashlyn Powers, who competed as Miss Fairhope, was named first runner-up on Saturday. Allyssa Weyant, Miss Lake Jordan, took third place. Olivia Burchfield, Miss Magic City, came in fourth. Halle Sullivan, Miss Northport, rounded out the top five.
Anna DuVall, who competed as Miss North Alabama, won the People’s Choice Award on Saturday. That meant she raised more money than the other contestants before the pageant began, via $1 online votes. Samantha Huver, who competed as Miss Samantha, won the Congeniality Award. Olivia Burchfield, Miss Magic City, won the Photogenic Award.
Ava LeBlanc is the new Miss Alabama Teen USA. She competed in the 2024 pageant as Miss Shelby County Teen.(Courtesy of RPM Productions)
The Miss Alabama Teen USA pageant also was held this weekend at the Gogue Center. Ava LeBlanc, who competed as Miss Shelby County Teen, won that competition, besting 32 other contestants. She’ll move on to compete for Miss Teen USA 2024. Kensey Collins, Miss Alabama Teen USA 2023, crowned LeBlanc as her successor on Saturday.
READ: Miss Alabama Teen USA 2024: Meet 33 girls competing for the title
Georgia Busby, who competed as Miss Queen City Teen, was named first runner-up on Saturday. Presley Kauffman, Miss Thompson Teen, took third place. Britain Fuller, Miss North Mobile Teen, came in fourth. Andie Pfannkuch, Miss Auburn Teen, rounded out the top five in the teen group.
Alyssa Peak, who competed as Miss West Blocton Teen, won the People’s Choice Award among the teen group. Cammie Rivers, Miss Saraland Teen, won the Photogenic Award. Lauren Sutherland, Miss Tennessee Valley Teen, won the Congeniality Award.