TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Last week, lights hit the stage in the Trojan Center as Miss Troy University practiced for the last time before taking her shot at the Miss Alabama crown.

With Dr. Stefanie East emceeing the event, her family in the crowd and nearly a year’s worth of experience as Miss Troy University under her belt, Anna Grace Tucker showed audience members what she has been preparing for her competition.

“I don’t think that people can actually capture how much you do behind the scenes when it comes to interview prep, making sure you have the perfect dress and the perfect shoes and the earrings,” Tucker said. “I’m just excited to show everyone what I’ve been working towards this week at Miss Alabama.

Troy University student Jamey Sheperd has been involved in the pageant system for the past four years and has helped with the Miss Troy University program for the past year. In that time, Sheperd has gotten to know Tucker beyond the crown.

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“She’s very bubbly,” Sheperd said. “She comes across as more shy at first, but she is so confident and, she truly is one of the best people here at Troy University.”

For Irene Tucker, Anna Grace’s mother, seeing her daughter grow from someone quiet to someone proud to take the stage has been exciting.

“She’s always been the most wonderful, wonderful girl, always caring about others,” said Irene. “I’m just excited to be able to see her come full circle from that nervous little girl who didn’t like to speak out loud to being Miss Troy University.”

No matter win or lose, Tucker is sure to have a University’s worth of support behind her.