Taylor crowned Miss Wallace State; Shadeck Miss North Alabama’s Teen

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College crowned a new Miss Wallace State recently, naming Anna Kate Taylor as Miss Wallace State 2026. Taylor, of West Point, is a freshman at Wallace State in the pre-nursing track. She was also named the talent winner, earning an additional $100 scholarship to add to a $500 cash scholarship and a one-year renewable tuition and fees scholarship to Wallace State.

Kylee Denney of Cullman was named first runner-up. Also a pre-nursing student, Denney received a $250 cash scholarship. Dianna Boatright, an Entrepreneurship major from Locust Fork, received the Beautiful Heart Scholarship, a $100 prize presented by Yolanda and Bob Long in honor of their daughter, former Miss Wallace State Rebecca Long Hayes.

Taylor will go on to represent Wallace State in the Miss Alabama program, which is a preliminary to the Miss America competition.

Participants in the 2026 Miss Wallace State program included from left, Dianna Boatright, Beautiful Heart Scholarship winner; Anna Kate Taylor, 2026 Miss Wallace State and talent winner;  Kylee Denney, first runner-up; and Avery Gerstman. 

Lily Shadeck, center, was crowned Miss North Alabama's Teen, with Anna Beth Bratcher, left, named first runner-up and Brooklyn Grant, right, named second runner-up. 

Shadeck Crowned Miss North Alabama’s Teen

The winner of the Miss North Alabama’s Teen competition was also crowned, with Lily Shadeck of Cullman earning the title for 2026. She was also named the winner of the talent portion. Her winnings include a one-year renewable tuition and fees scholarship to Wallace State and $400 in cash scholarships. Anna Beth Bratcher of Dothan was named first runner-up, winning a $200 cash scholarship. Brooklyn Grant of Warrior was named second runner-up and the winner of the Beautiful Heart Scholarship, earning $200 in cash scholarships.

Shadeck will go on to compete in the Miss Alabama’s Teen competition, a preliminary to the Miss America’s Teen program.