Former Spain Park student competes for Miss USA

Hoover resident Madison Guthrie is currently preparing to compete at the Miss USA pageant in Baton Rouge, La. on July 12. Guthrie entered the Miss Alabama competition with no previous pageant experience and won the title of Miss Alabama USA in November.

In July, she will join fellow contestants from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Contestants will be judged in three categories including swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Guthrie will be in Baton Rouge for two weeks, the first of which will consist of appearances. The second will include rehearsals, the preliminary competition and the live final competition.

“Not many realize the hard work and dedication it takes to prepare for an event of this magnitude,” Guthrie said. “Long hours have been put in daily towards interview coaching, speaking lessons, personal training, healthy eating, mastering how to walk in six-inch heels and keeping up with current events.”

Guthrie credits her faith in God as what helped her decide to give pageants a try. She always had interests in modeling, travel, fashion, makeup, photography and spreading the word of Christ, she said. Pageantry gave her an opportunity to combine her interests.

“After winning my first pageant, God quickly began opening doors and shaping me into the powerful young woman that I strive to be,” Guthrie said. “I now get to participate and represent my beautiful state in the most well-respected pageant in the world because I took a leap of faith.” 

Guthrie has focuses on many platforms with her title, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer and suicide prevention.

Miss USA will air live on NBC at 7 p.m. For more information, visit missuniverse.com.