Kaley Hayden of Livingston is the new Miss University of West Alabama. Hayden, a junior elementary education major, will represent the 174-year-old institution in the 2009 Miss Alabama Pageant, a Miss America preliminary held this summer in Birmingham.

The daughter of Jay and Tammie Hayden, she also won the swimsuit category. Hayden, who performed a piano solo in the talent portion of the competition, will promote People Against a Littered State as her platform while serving as the 28th Miss UWA.

Junior Maegen Moore of Jasper was selected as first alternate and talent winner. Alternates also selected include junior Britney McElroy of Toomsuba, Miss., second; junior Savanna Dickson of Gallion; third; and senior Cassie Reed of Livingston, fourth.

Freshman Brandi McGee of Demopolis received the Spirit of UWA Award, and sophomore Sydney Broadaway of Linden received the People’s Choice Award.