Phaedra Manuel of Hoover Crowned Miss University of Alabama Birmingham 2027

By Shannon Thomason | UAB News

Phaedra Manuel is the new Miss University of Alabama at BirminghamPhaedra Manuel is the new Miss University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Manuel was crowned Sunday, Nov. 8, during the Miss UAB Scholarship Competition, an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama and Miss America. She will represent UAB at the state Miss Alabama competition.

A graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in global health, Manuel, 23, of Hoover, Alabama, was also voted Miss Congeniality. She was awarded $2,600 in scholarships.

Manuel currently works full time as a gap-year medical intern in Christ Health Center’s Fellowship program. She is a Graduate Student Government senator and a member of the Maternal and Child Health Student Association. Manuel is a volunteer with Blazer Kitchen as an Alpha Gamma Delta alumna through its hunger-fighting initiative.

Manuel was in the UAB Honors College throughout her undergraduate career, was named to the Dean’s list, and graduated with honors. A UAB TrailBlazer all four years, she served on UAB Freshman Forum and later was website director for the Undergraduate Student Government Association. Manuel was selected as a Sparkman Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year and was part of the first-place winning team in the 2024 UAB Annual Global Health Case Competition. Her parents are Kwamina and Patience Manuel.

Anna Grace Deason, 22, Millbrook, Alabama, was named first runner-up and winner of the Miss UAB Spirit Award. She was awarded $1,500 in scholarships. Deason is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in public health. She is involved in the Maternal and Child Health Student Association and Ember Women’s Ultimate Frisbee. During her undergraduate career she was in the UAB Honors College and the March of Dimes National Collegiate Leadership Council. As a member of the Flame Squad for three years, she earned Camp Champ and Most Valuable Blazer awards. For her volunteer work in maternal and infant health Deason received two Daisy Foundation awards and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Southeastern Conference Empowering Our Families Award. Her parents are Trent and Donna Deason.

Ma’Kayla Dial, 21, of Bessemer, Alabama, was named second runner-up and awarded a $1,000 scholarship. She is a senior majoring in musical theater and has been on the Dean’s list three times. Dial has served as a lead mentor for the First Blazers branch of the Blazer Mentorship Collective for two years and received an award for her service in the community through the collective. She is also a student advisory council member for TRIO Academic Services and a work-study student. Dial is a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national academic honor society for first generation college students. She received a Ruby Lloyd Apsey scholarship, awarded to promising UAB students majoring in theater or musical theater for academic and artistic merit. Dial is a member of the African American Studies Organization and the Blazer Theatre Organization. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., she serves as the chairman for Arts and Advocacy. Her parents are Arliscia Dial and Brandon Tolbert.

Miss UAB 2027 will receive gift certificates from Taco Mama, Otey’s, Glitz & Glamour, the UAB Bookstore and Nothing Bundt Cakes, free workout classes from True40 Fitness Studio and a customized bag from the Dressing Room Moms. EQS Photography LLC provided the candidate headshots.

The Miss UAB Scholarship Competition is presented by Student and Family Engagement.