by Naquela Kirk (Assistant Director, Student Affairs Marketing and Communications)

Step into the spotlight and meet Lacey Johnson, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) reigning campus royalty. Crowned on November 12, 2023, as Miss UAB 2024, the Pinson native is not just a beauty with brains but a force of compassion and dedication.

For over 40 years, the Miss UAB Scholarship Competition presented by UAB’s Student Involvement and Leadership has enabled students to achieve their educational goals through scholarship and personal development. The competition also serves as an official preliminary to the Miss Alabama and Miss America competitions.

Johnson, a senior English major with a concentration in literature, is poised to graduate this April. Her journey at UAB has been more than academics—it has been a whirlwind of campus engagement and community involvement. From her role in the Kappa Delta Sorority to her spirited performances with the UAB Marching Blazers, where she leads as the Blazerette captain.

“Since I've been crowned Miss UAB, I have had such an incredible time going around campus and finding out more things about UAB,” shared Johnson. 

She continues to immerse herself in Blazer culture through various organizations, like the UAB Chess Club.“I got to meet the Chess Club and play chess with them, which was so much fun, and I've really gotten to enjoy that experience of getting to meet everyone and learn all of these new things.”

Johnson’s outreach doesn’t stop on UAB’s campus. She also takes time out of her busy schedule to give back to the Birmingham community. From playing with kids to reading at her former preschool, the Child Enrichment Center in Gardendale, during Read Across America. 

Before winning the Miss UAB Scholarship Competition, Lacey served as Miss Wallace State Community College in 2021, which was her introduction to the Miss Alabama organization. 

“I started competing in preliminaries then, and I knew the whole time I was competing that I wanted to be Miss UAB,” she said. As Miss UAB, Johnson has made several appearances, most recently at the Miss Alabama's Teen Competition, and has started orientation for the Miss Alabama Competition. Her preparation includes working on her stamina at the gym, practicing her dance routine for the talent portion of the competition, and preparing for interviews.

“One of the things that I've been doing is just trying to resonate with myself and who I want to present on that stage and how I want to represent UAB there.” 

Johnson also represents UAB through her community service initiative, Royal Family Kids #218. She has volunteered with Royal Family Kids since 2014. Camp #218 operates out of Palmerdale, Alabama, and it is a one-week summer camp for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in the foster care system.

“Every year, we try to send about 64 children to camp, and each child goes completely free of charge. It costs between $600 to $1,000 to send each one,” she said. “Eleven months out of the year, we are fundraising and hosting events so that way we can get the word out, get volunteers, and get donations so that we can take all of these kids to camp.”

“One of my goals is to go to every camp in the state of Alabama in the next few years.” There are five RFKC camps in Alabama, and Lacey has already attended two. “I have been able to see the way it changes a church. It changes individuals for the same reason because they're not serving themselves, they're serving others.”

If you're curious to learn more about Lacey's journey from campus queen to potential Miss Alabama, dive into her world on Instagram @missuab or visit uab.edu/missuab. And for those inspired to join her noble cause, visit the link to Royal Family Kids #218 and be a part of something truly magical.