By Erica Thomas, Managing Editor
Gulf Shores native Lauren Bradford placed as runner-up in the 2022 Miss America competition Thursday night.
Bradford, the 2021 Miss Alabama, is an Auburn University graduate and current Vanderbilt University student. She earned her bachelor's degree in Finance and is now attending the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management, pursuing a master's of science degree in finance.
As first runner-up, and as the winner of the Social Impact Initiative (Community Service) and STEM Essay Scholarship, Bradford is coming home with $42,500 in scholarships.
Bradford also placed second for the most fundraising out of all 51 contestants.
The winner of the 2022 Miss America competition is Miss Alaska, Emma Broyles.
Boyles is an Anchorage native and is currently a pre-med major at Arizona State University.
On the first night of the competition, Boyles won the Social Impact Pitch preliminary award, making her the second Miss Alaska ever to receive a preliminary award. When she was crowned Miss America at Mogehan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Thursday night, she became the first Miss Alaska to ever to win the competition.
Boyles won a $100,000 scholarship.
This was the 100th anniversary of the Miss America competition.
