TROY, Ala. – Laura McDonald was crowned Miss Troy University Sunday afternoon at the 36th annual Miss Troy University pageant to earn the right to represent the University in the Miss Alabama Pageant.

Miss McDonald, a senior accounting major from Prattville, is the daughter of Gail and Bubba McDonald. A graduate of Prattville High School, McDonald won the swimsuit competition.

Miss McDonald was crowned by Mary King of Connecticut, Miss Troy University 2006. Contestants competed in private interview, casual wear, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and on-stage question.

Other members of the top five were:

• First runner-up Aderonke Olaleye of Randallstown, Md., who also tied for first place in the talent competition. Olaleye is a sophomore majoring in business.
  
  
• Second runner-up Amber Dobson of Cullman, who also tied for first place in the talent competition. Dobson is a senior majoring in nursing.
  
  
• Third runner-up Kendra Willis of Bessemer. Willis is a freshman majoring in biology.
  
  
• Fourth runner-up Julie Chapman of Hoover. Chapman is a freshman majoring in marketing.

Kathryn Hobgood, a sophomore elementary education major from Semmes, was the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Elaina Lee, a junior biology major from Arab, was voted Miss Congeniality. Aaron Taylor of TrojanVision television served as the emcee for the event.

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From left to right are: Fourth Runner-up Julie Chapman, a freshman marketing major from Hoover; Second Runner-up Amber Dobson, a senior nursing major from Cullman; Miss Troy University 2006 Mary King; Miss Troy University 2007 Laura McDonald, a senior accounting major from Prattville; First Runner-up Aderonke Olaleye, a sophomore business major from Randallstown, Md.; and Third Runner-up Kendra Willis, a freshman biology major from Bessemer. As Miss TROY, McDonald will represent the University in the 2007 Miss Alabama Pageant next summer.