Courtney Porter
Miss Alabama 2011 (top 13 @ Miss America 2012)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Leeds Area pageant?
I had been competing in the Miss Alabama system for the previous 5 years and knew 2011 was my last year to try and become Miss Alabama. This was something that I had worked towards for so long, and knew I had one more shot. I knew the people of Leeds through various activities I had participated in earlier in my life and knew the reputation of the pageant as a whole. Leeds is such a supportive community. I knew that I wanted my last year to be a year when I was close to home as far as appearances were concerned and it turns out Miss Leeds Area was a perfect fit. Little did I know at the time, but It was the last pageant my mom got to see me compete in. That in itself makes Miss Leeds Area very special to me.
Tell us about your platform, "Boys & Girls Clubs of America".
My mom was a Kindergarten teacher for over 30 years and always talked to me about the importance of giving back to the community, especially to those children who were less fortunate than others. I began mentoring at-risk youth through an after-school tutoring program in high school and decided that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a fulfilling and rewarding experience that I couldn’t get enough of it. When I moved to Auburn, AL to attend Auburn University I decided to get involved with a local Boys and Girls Club there to continue my platform work. The great things going on inside a Boys and Girls Club are astounding. The tag line they use frequently is “Great futures start here”. That is such an accurate statement. Every day, children come to Boys and Girls Clubs all over this country to gain character enrichment, cultivate relationships among peers as well as mentors, gain academic support through tutoring and one-on-one help with scholastics, and also to learn about the potential they have within themselves to graduate and become productive, successful members of society. It was a joy to be able to work with these students throughout my pageant career. Now that I have tucked away my Miss Alabama crown and have hung up my pageant shoes, I get to advocate and raise money for Nonprofits in the Birmingham area, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. Life has a funny way of coming full circle, and I am blessed to be able to still be involved with such a wonderful and worthwhile organization.
How long have you been dancing for and how did you begin to dance?
I have been dancing now for 22 years. I took my very first dance class at the age of 3 and I have been in love with it ever since. Dancing was always something that I looked forward to on a weekly basis. I grew very close to every dance teacher I have ever had, and still keep in touch with them to this day. I got to live out my dream of being a part of the Auburn University Tiger Paws Dance Team all four years of my college career. That is something that I still chalk up as one of my greatest accomplishments. Now that I am done with the pageant circuit, I continue my love of dance through teaching tap classes at The Pointe Dance Arts in Hoover, AL. I don’t think I will ever quit dancing.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the contestant chosen by the contestants to compete in the evening gown competition at Miss America?
All week long, my prayer was that I had made an impact on the other contestants in some way, shape, or form. I consider myself blessed to have been able to get to know the beautiful, talented, and intelligent young women of the Miss America class of 2012. We all grew so close in such a short period of time and I am honored to have shared the stage with each and every one of them. The moment when my name was not called out as a top 12 finalist, I was already thinking in my mind how proud I was to have been able to perform for my family and friends back in Alabama who were not able to make it to Las Vegas. I accepted that it was God’s plan for me to have only made it in the top 15, and I was more than grateful for that opportunity. Then Chris Harrison threw us a curve ball……. I don’t remember much about that moment, other than hearing the crowd start talking in a low murmur. I don’t even remember Chris giving the other girls instructions on standing behind the contestant they wanted to vote back in. I had no idea how many girls were standing behind me. I DO remember some of the girls coming in front of me and talking to me and I immediately thought, “Get behind me so you are vote gets counted!” I was more than humbled to be able to watch the recording when I got home and quite frankly it brings me to tears every time I watch it. Those girls were so sweet to have voted me back in the competition and if I could have I would have hugged each and every one of their necks. As soon as I started to thank the girls, Chris Harrison mentioned the fact that I had 2 minutes to change into my Evening Gown, so of course I started sprinting to the Artistry tent. Miss America was a one in a lifetime opportunity, and one that will forever be in my heart. However, the opportunity to be voted back in by my fellow contestants was a moment that I will NEVER forget.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Alabama?
It is hard to pinpoint one moment that would the most memorable. I would say the Miss America experience as a whole sticks out in my mind because of how special it was for me. I could tell you MANY stories that are memorable and ones that I will cherish forever. Most importantly, the moment that I was crowned was quite a thrill. I remember looking up to the Heavens to share the moment with my Momma, Michelle Porter, who had passed away one month before the pageant. She was my inspiration to begin competing in the first place. She was the one who encouraged me to chase after this dream that the two of us shared. She was the one who helped me with interview questions, watched me practice my talent, took me shopping for those beautiful gowns, and helped me pack each and every year for pageant week. She was also the one who told me day-in and day-out that I was enough. Whether that was through a written note or the spoken word, she made sure I knew that Courtney Porter was enough. I would have to say my reign as Miss Alabama was a bittersweet year to say the least. However, being able to share my Momma’s story with the state of Alabama and help other families who were struggling with the culprit of cancer is an opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. There is nothing greater than being able to be the encourager or supporter of a person in need. I was able to be that person for so many as Miss Alabama 2011.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Alabama ended?
Well, the day after I gave up my crown, I was proposed to by my college sweetheart, Scott. We will be getting married in May 2013 and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us down the road. The week after the Miss Alabama 2012 pageant, I started a new job with the United Way of Central Alabama. I am a Relationship Manager with UWCA and am blessed to have the opportunity to help people all throughout the state. Life is good and it is even better when you LIVE UNITED.
I had been competing in the Miss Alabama system for the previous 5 years and knew 2011 was my last year to try and become Miss Alabama. This was something that I had worked towards for so long, and knew I had one more shot. I knew the people of Leeds through various activities I had participated in earlier in my life and knew the reputation of the pageant as a whole. Leeds is such a supportive community. I knew that I wanted my last year to be a year when I was close to home as far as appearances were concerned and it turns out Miss Leeds Area was a perfect fit. Little did I know at the time, but It was the last pageant my mom got to see me compete in. That in itself makes Miss Leeds Area very special to me.
Tell us about your platform, "Boys & Girls Clubs of America".
My mom was a Kindergarten teacher for over 30 years and always talked to me about the importance of giving back to the community, especially to those children who were less fortunate than others. I began mentoring at-risk youth through an after-school tutoring program in high school and decided that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a fulfilling and rewarding experience that I couldn’t get enough of it. When I moved to Auburn, AL to attend Auburn University I decided to get involved with a local Boys and Girls Club there to continue my platform work. The great things going on inside a Boys and Girls Club are astounding. The tag line they use frequently is “Great futures start here”. That is such an accurate statement. Every day, children come to Boys and Girls Clubs all over this country to gain character enrichment, cultivate relationships among peers as well as mentors, gain academic support through tutoring and one-on-one help with scholastics, and also to learn about the potential they have within themselves to graduate and become productive, successful members of society. It was a joy to be able to work with these students throughout my pageant career. Now that I have tucked away my Miss Alabama crown and have hung up my pageant shoes, I get to advocate and raise money for Nonprofits in the Birmingham area, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Alabama. Life has a funny way of coming full circle, and I am blessed to be able to still be involved with such a wonderful and worthwhile organization.
How long have you been dancing for and how did you begin to dance?
I have been dancing now for 22 years. I took my very first dance class at the age of 3 and I have been in love with it ever since. Dancing was always something that I looked forward to on a weekly basis. I grew very close to every dance teacher I have ever had, and still keep in touch with them to this day. I got to live out my dream of being a part of the Auburn University Tiger Paws Dance Team all four years of my college career. That is something that I still chalk up as one of my greatest accomplishments. Now that I am done with the pageant circuit, I continue my love of dance through teaching tap classes at The Pointe Dance Arts in Hoover, AL. I don’t think I will ever quit dancing.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the contestant chosen by the contestants to compete in the evening gown competition at Miss America?
All week long, my prayer was that I had made an impact on the other contestants in some way, shape, or form. I consider myself blessed to have been able to get to know the beautiful, talented, and intelligent young women of the Miss America class of 2012. We all grew so close in such a short period of time and I am honored to have shared the stage with each and every one of them. The moment when my name was not called out as a top 12 finalist, I was already thinking in my mind how proud I was to have been able to perform for my family and friends back in Alabama who were not able to make it to Las Vegas. I accepted that it was God’s plan for me to have only made it in the top 15, and I was more than grateful for that opportunity. Then Chris Harrison threw us a curve ball……. I don’t remember much about that moment, other than hearing the crowd start talking in a low murmur. I don’t even remember Chris giving the other girls instructions on standing behind the contestant they wanted to vote back in. I had no idea how many girls were standing behind me. I DO remember some of the girls coming in front of me and talking to me and I immediately thought, “Get behind me so you are vote gets counted!” I was more than humbled to be able to watch the recording when I got home and quite frankly it brings me to tears every time I watch it. Those girls were so sweet to have voted me back in the competition and if I could have I would have hugged each and every one of their necks. As soon as I started to thank the girls, Chris Harrison mentioned the fact that I had 2 minutes to change into my Evening Gown, so of course I started sprinting to the Artistry tent. Miss America was a one in a lifetime opportunity, and one that will forever be in my heart. However, the opportunity to be voted back in by my fellow contestants was a moment that I will NEVER forget.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Alabama?
It is hard to pinpoint one moment that would the most memorable. I would say the Miss America experience as a whole sticks out in my mind because of how special it was for me. I could tell you MANY stories that are memorable and ones that I will cherish forever. Most importantly, the moment that I was crowned was quite a thrill. I remember looking up to the Heavens to share the moment with my Momma, Michelle Porter, who had passed away one month before the pageant. She was my inspiration to begin competing in the first place. She was the one who encouraged me to chase after this dream that the two of us shared. She was the one who helped me with interview questions, watched me practice my talent, took me shopping for those beautiful gowns, and helped me pack each and every year for pageant week. She was also the one who told me day-in and day-out that I was enough. Whether that was through a written note or the spoken word, she made sure I knew that Courtney Porter was enough. I would have to say my reign as Miss Alabama was a bittersweet year to say the least. However, being able to share my Momma’s story with the state of Alabama and help other families who were struggling with the culprit of cancer is an opportunity that I will forever be grateful for. There is nothing greater than being able to be the encourager or supporter of a person in need. I was able to be that person for so many as Miss Alabama 2011.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Alabama ended?
Well, the day after I gave up my crown, I was proposed to by my college sweetheart, Scott. We will be getting married in May 2013 and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us down the road. The week after the Miss Alabama 2012 pageant, I started a new job with the United Way of Central Alabama. I am a Relationship Manager with UWCA and am blessed to have the opportunity to help people all throughout the state. Life is good and it is even better when you LIVE UNITED.