MOBILE, Ala. – Michaella Johnson, a senior musical theater major from Van Wert, Ohio, was crowned Miss University of Mobile 2023 on Oct. 20.
Johnson also received the talent award for the competition, along with Adalynn Joiner, and the People’s Choice Award.
For the next year, Johnson will represent UM at various events. She also has the option to compete in the Miss Alabama Competition this summer, which is the next step of the Miss America Competition.
“Wow! That was the word that immediately came to my mind when I heard my name called as Miss University of Mobile 2023,” says Johnson. “I was honored to be crowned and inducted into an amazing sisterhood of strong and beautiful women. All of the girls I got to bond with and compete with were talented, courageous, intelligent and confident, and I’m so lucky to have such awesome girls to now call my friends!”
Johnson’s platform as Miss UM is “The Best of Both Worlds Initiative,” a program to fight racial prejudice with kindness, celebrate the beauty of biracialism and highlight diversity.
“The Lord really humbled me, and I am so honored to carry this title in his name. I am excited not only for the learning opportunity, but to be able to represent the university that has poured so much into me and made me into who I am today,” says Johnson.
Also earning honors at the Miss University of Mobile competition were:
- Caidyn Crowder, first runner-up from Ellisville, Mississippi, $3,000 scholarship.
- Anna Katherine Bell, second runner-up from Columbia, Mississippi, $2,000 scholarship.
- Adalynn Joiner, third runner-up from Pensacola, Florida. Joiner also tied with Johnson as winners of the talent portion of the competition. Joiner received a $1,350 scholarship.
- Clara Rebekah Hicks, fourth runner-up from Franklin, Alabama, $350 scholarship.
- Allegra Fuller, from Mobile, Alabama, received Miss Congeniality, $350 scholarship.
Miss UM 2022, Ashlyn Nichols, gave a special thank you to first her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as her family, friends, sponsors, director, the university and many more. Nichols performed “I See Red,” her original spoken word talent during the competition held at UM’s College Woods Auditorium.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university offering on-campus and online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Molly Grace Watkins is the Content Creator for the Office for Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Mobile. She is a full-time student in the College of Arts and Sciences, where she is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and Broadcasting. A published author, Molly Grace loves writing and being in front of the camera. She is an active member and volunteer at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. She also enjoys listening to music, going on long walks and driving her friends around in her blue MINI Cooper.