Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
A spirit that is not afraid

Miss Auburn University focusing platform on arts in education

McMurray was crowned Miss Auburn University on Oct. 6, 2019, in Auburn, Ala.
McMurray was crowned Miss Auburn University on Oct. 6, 2019, in Auburn, Ala.

Collins McMurray was recently crowned Miss Auburn University, and she’s only a freshman.

McMurray first started competing in pageants as a junior in high school. Miss America is one of the leading scholarship providers for women in the United States. When McMurray realized this, it immediately caught her eye.

What really sold McMurray and convinced her to compete in her first pageant was when she discovered that she would get to have a platform. A platform is a community service project that contestants get involved with and endorse as they go through the different stages of competitions. 

“Once I realized I could serve my community and compete for scholarship money, it was a no-brainer for me to try,” McMurray said.

McMurray’s platform is the importance of arts in education. McMurray said she’s been involved in the arts from a very young age from a community and school standpoint. 

She’s worked in outreach programs with her community theater program. She noticed where there was a lack of funding for different arts programs across the state.

She grew up seeing firsthand what a lack of funding could do to a community. Her middle school theater program got cut because of a lack of funds. She saw the effects it had on not only her fellow classmates, but on herself as well.

“It’s a subject I’m very passionate about and have always wanted to work towards,” McMurray said. “Pageants have given me the platform and support I needed to create a foundation I can work with.”

After little debate, McMurray decided to enter into a pageant, and she ended up winning the first pageant she ever competed in, advancing to win Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen, and then advancing to place high in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

She competed in her first pageant outside of the teen division and won the Miss Auburn University title on Oct. 6.

“I’m beyond myself; I still can’t believe it’s real,” McMurray said.

She’s not done yet, though. This coming summer, she will be competing for Miss Alabama, but right now she’s focused on performing her role as Miss Auburn University and serving her community as well as she can. 

After the announcement of her big win she immediately went backstage to sign all of the paperwork involved in getting her ready to compete for Miss Alabama. And to celebrate, her and her family visited Mellow Mushroom for a well-deserved dinner.

She never took her crown off. She almost slept in it but decided that, considering she had class the next morning, she had better get a good night’s sleep.


Share and discuss “Miss Auburn University focusing platform on arts in education” on social media.