The Phil Campbell High School Student Council presented the 2022-2023 Dream Girl Pageant Friday night, and a bevy of Bobcat girls represented the school and vied for the crown.

Eleventh-grader Raegen Misner was crowned the 2023 Dream Girl. Eighth-grader Alaina Burcham was crowned the 2023 Junior Dream Girl.

Misner said she “felt honored and proud to be chosen.”

“I feel I gained a better understanding of what it means to be a role model for others,” Misner said, adding she felt “shocked and ecstatic” when she was announced as the winner.

“This year, we had one of the largest groups of Phil Campbell students to compete since I have been in high school, and knowing there were 23 beautiful girls I would be competing against, my goal was just to have fun and be myself,” she added.

As Junior Dream Girl, Burcham said she “gained self-confidence by stepping out of my comfort zone and talking about my role models and life experiences.”

“This was one of the best experiences of my life,” Burcham said, “and I definitely recommend participating in the pageant at least once.” She said she entered the competition with the goal of increasing her self-confidence. “I loved seeing all the girls participating with me,” she added. “They are all beautiful, and it was really just all to have fun and embrace your beauty.”

Junior and senior division contestants participated in production numbers and evening gown competitions. Contestants also answered interview questions from the judges off stage.

Misner, daughter of Tom and Mary Misner, is a member of the Giving Club, SADD Club and Flourish and is 11th grade secretary for the yearbook. She is also a varsity cheerleader.

Her honors include being an A honor roll student, a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a Franklin County Junior Leader.

After high school, Misner said she plans to attend the University of Alabama to pursue a degree in pediatrics, with hopes of one day becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner.

The daughter of Joel and Angela Burcham, Burcham is a junior high cheerleader and a member of Flourish, FCCLA and the Giving Club. Her honors include being a member of the National Junior Honor Society, being an all-A honor roll student and being voted eighth–grade girl class favorite. After high school, Burcham said she plans to attend the University of Alabama to pursue a career as a pediatrician.

Misner said she “gained so much more than an award.”

“I gained a better understanding of sisterhood,” she said, “and having my younger sister run up to hug me right after I won means so much.”

PCHS Principal Darit Riddle served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, which took place in the Bevill Auditorium on the campus of Northwest-Shoals Community College in Phil Campbell. Senior dream girl winner for 2022, Madison Branch, and junior dream girl winner for 2022, Shiloh Madden, took part in the evening’s events.