On Oct. 3, Ashlyn Powers won the title of Miss Auburn University 2026 after competing against 11 other contestants. Held in the Student Activities Center, the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition consisted of several categories for judging, such as talent, evening gown and on-stage conversation, with many participants winning various awards.
Doors opened at 5:00 p.m., and the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition began at 6 p.m. For community members, tickets could be purchased at the door or in advance, while event admission was free for Auburn University students.
Abbie Stockard, Miss America 2025, hosted the competition that consisted of an opening number, on-stage conversation, health and fitness, talent, evening gown, as well as special performances and the crowning of Miss Auburn University.
In the competition, the weight distribution was 10 percent for the on-stage conversation, 20 percent for health and fitness, 20 percent for talent, 20 percent for evening gown and 30 percent for an interview with the judges.
During the opening number, contestants performed to a choreographed dance to "Pink" by Lizzo. The theme this year was Tickled Pink, inspired by 2025 Miss Auburn University Mikella Anderson. Anderson spent this year working with her community service initiative, Color for a Cure: A Beautiful End to Diabetes. She participated in the opening number, the final walk and performed her own choreographed ballet dance to "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen.
Ashlyn Powers, senior studying business management, was contestant 11. To showcase her talent, she played the drums to "Wipe Out" by The Surfaris. Her service initiative focused on being the power and empowering individuals with disabilities.
During her on stage conversation, Powers discussed ways Auburn students can help create a campus culture where people of all abilities feel they belong.
"I believe that starts with education. By going to Auburn students and talking about what ableism is, what it looks like to have a disability and how you can get involved in working with the incredible organizations that we have around this area," Powers said. "I can educate that way, and then they can learn about why they should be inclusive. I will also go to the Auburn public schools and do the same thing."
Madeline Pitre, sophomore majoring in public administration, was the runner-up and the winner of an $1,000 award. Pitre, contestant four, performed a jazz dance mashup to "Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. Her service initiative focused on P.U.L.S.E., cardiac emergency preparedness. She was also awarded the the Street Family Achievement Award, given to the contestant who best represents the values of an Auburn Woman through the ability to articulate her passion, represent her community well and share a vision through her community service initiative.
Caroline Lybarger, junior majoring in business management and psychology, was the second runner-up and the winner of a $500 award. Lybarger, contestant seven, performed a lyrical dance to "Piece by Piece" by Kelly Clarkson. Her initiative highlighted the Jacquelyn Leddon Foundation, supporting cancer patients and families across America.
Lauren Anderson, junior majoring in music education with a minor in business, was the recipient of the Make Your Move Performing Arts Talent Award, a $300 award. Anderson, contestant eight, sung "The Lady's Improving" from the musical "The Prom." Her service initiative is called Project Crescendo that was established to give underprivileged students in the Auburn and Opelika area access to free music education.
There was five judges on the panel of 2026 Miss Auburn University:
- Susan Downs, an educator, recently crowned Ms. Senior Alabama 2022 and the head of School of the Bruno Montessori Academy in Birmingham, Alabama
- Dr. Chris Martin, an associate clinical professor at the Auburn University College of Nursing and an Auburn graduate who was a student recruiter, Camp War Eagle counselor and a member of the Auburn University Marching Band
- Lauren Findley, the vice president of enrollment management at Texas Wesleyan University, who was also crowned Miss Gadsen State
- Dr. Verlindsey Stewart, the stewardship coordinator at Alabama A&M University committed to student success, institutional excellence and financial stewardship
- Meg McGuffin, an Auburn graduate and Miss America 2015 whose community service initiative Healthy is the New Skinny was acknowledged at the national pageant
As a preliminary to Miss Alabama in the Miss America system, the Miss Auburn University competition marks the beginning of Powers’ journey, as she advances in her future of pageantry.
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