Gracen Murphy, a junior nursing major from Prattville, Alabama, was crowned Miss Troy University 2027 during the 54th annual pageant on the Troy Campus.
As Miss Troy University, Murphy earned a $7,500 scholarship, will serve as an ambassador for the University and will compete for the title of Miss Alabama in June.
“This is so surreal. I competed my freshman year and knew I wanted to try again because I grew so much from the experience and I love TROY so much,” she said. “I’m excited to represent TROY well on the Miss Alabama stage, but just to be a representative of the student body for the next year is so exciting. I’m excited to see what new opportunities come my way!”
Her community service initiative, “The Village,” focuses on women’s health. Most recently, she and the Panhellenic Council organized care baskets to be delivered to 47 postpartum mothers at Baptist Medical Center East. She also works as a Student Nurse Apprentice at Prattville Baptist Hospital.
“My goal is to create a community where women can celebrate womanhood and can unashamedly discuss women’s health,” she said. “Rallying around women’s health must start with us rallying around other women.”
Murphy also earned the Talent Award for her piano performance of “Tarantella in A Minor” by Albert Pieczonka and was named Miss Congeniality.
She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority and was the 2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Autauga County, finishing in the top eight at the state program. She currently serves as Director of Spiritual Life for TROY Panhellenic’s Executive Council and is a member of Order of Omega, Student Nurses Association, Nurses Christian Fellowship and Letters of Love. She has also served on staff at The Living Stones Retreat for the past two years.
Candidates were judged on a private interview, an on-stage conversation, health and fitness, talent and evening gown.
Isabella Calasso, a junior nursing major from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, was First Runner Up and the winner of both the Health and Fitness and People’s Choice awards. Madison Belk, a graduate student in the Strategic Communication program from Loxley, Alabama, was Second Runner Up. Taylor Grace McDaniel, a sophomore education major from Skipperville, Alabama, was Third Runner Up. Isabella Colagross, a sophomore dance major from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, was Fourth Runner Up.
Taliyah Speights, a freshman social work major from Marianna, Florida, was awarded the Mary Beth Moore Spirit of Troy Award.
