Ruby Tilghman was crowned Miss Alabama 2026 June 6 at Samford University. Tilghman graduated from UA in May and will attend the Heersink School of Medicine at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Originally from Panama City, Florida, Tilghman now lives in Birmingham. While at UA, she was an Honors College student and undergraduate researcher in the Summers Lab, working to develop high-value pharmaceutical intermediates. And in 2024, she was crowned Miss University of Alabama.
Tilghman was also a preliminary Evening Gown winner, earning a $300 scholarship, and earned a $500 scholarship as a preliminary Talent award winner. She was also a Community Service Award finalist, earning an additional $250 scholarship, and a STEM Scholarship finalist.
According to the Miss Alabama organization, the title comes with a $15,000 cash scholarship, along with several sponsor gifts and services made available to the winner. She is given access to health and fitness professionals, such as a dermatologist, dentist and personal trainer. Tilghman also receives eye care and salon services in addition to a Miss America competition wardrobe.
Miss UA’s achievements
In addition to placing in the Top 14, Miss University of Alabama Hailey Adams was a preliminary Evening Gown winner, earning a $300 scholarship. She was also a finalist for the Community Service Award, earning a $250 scholarship.
This year was Adams’s first time competing for Miss Alabama and she earned $4,300 in scholarships. She will continue her reign as Miss University of Alabama until this year’s competition on Oct. 17.
Worth noting
Students included in the Top 14 were sisters Hailey Adams and Hannah Adams, Elaina Burt, Julia Schumacher, Abby Sosa and Tilghman. Burt, Schumacher and Tilghman went on to earn spots in the Top 5, with Tilghman earning the title. Both Adams sisters and Sosa earned $1,750 scholarships each as semi-finalists.
Schumacher was named first runner-up, earning an additional $5,000 scholarship. And Burt was named third runner-up, earning an additional $2,500 scholarship.
All 17 of UA’s students and recent alumni participating earned a combined total of over $74,000 in scholarships through various donor-funded avenues.
Additional accolades earned throughout the week
Hannah Adams – Preliminary Talent Award winner ($500); Community Service Award Second Runner Up ($750)
Elaina Burt – Preliminary Talent Award winner ($500); James Hatcher Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
Carson Champion – STEM Scholarship Finalist
Rylie Dewley – Community Service Award finalist ($250); Non-Finalist Talent Award winner ($250); Miss Congeniality (for the fourth year in a row) ($250); Mu Alpha Sigma Award ($3,200)
Katherine Grigsby – Non-Finalist Talent Award winner ($250); Board of Directors Scholarship ($1,000); STEM Scholarship Finalist
Sydney Julian – Non-Finalist Interview Award winner ($550); She also received a $250 scholarship for raising the most funds for the Miss America Organization’s national partner, the American Heart Association.
Julia Schumacher – Community Service Award finalist ($250); STEM Scholarship finalist; Heather Whitestone Scholarship ($500)
Chloe Yates – Preliminary Talent Award winner ($500); Community Service Award honorable mention; Non-Finalist Talent Award winner ($250)
Among the 45 participants, the Miss Alabama Organization awarded over $157,000 in cash scholarships this year.