10/07/2026
Proud of one our Youth Leadership Lawrence YLL alumni!
Town Creek native named to University of Alabama Homecoming Court
A Lawrence County native is one of just five students in the running to become the University of Alabama's 2026 Homecoming Queen — and she's using the opportunity to promote a cause close to her family.
The University of Alabama formally announced its five-person Homecoming Court on Monday, Oct. 6, following a selection process that included essays and interviews.
Among those five is Emie Vandiver, a senior from Town Creek who is majoring in biology while simultaneously pursuing an accelerated master's degree in biology.
🐘 From Lawrence County to the Capstone
Vandiver's leadership experience began well before her time in Tuscaloosa.
She was one of two Hatton High School students selected for the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce's 2021-22 Youth Leadership Lawrence class.
The program gives local students firsthand exposure to Lawrence County's industries, businesses, agriculture, education, healthcare and other parts of the community while developing leadership skills and completing community service.
At Alabama, Vandiver has continued building an impressive academic and service résumé.
She currently serves as a University of Alabama Research Ambassador, with research interests in genetics, genomics and computational biology under the mentorship of Dr. Laura Reed.
Vandiver has also volunteered with Medicine and Community and Reading Allies Tuscaloosa.
💙 Inspired by her younger brother
At the center of Vandiver's Homecoming campaign is inclusion — a cause she says is deeply personal.
In her official candidate statement, Vandiver shared that her younger brother has Down syndrome and has shaped the way she views people with different abilities.
She said her brother has taught her that everyone has something to offer and deserves to feel included.
If elected Homecoming Queen, Vandiver plans to direct support from the Homecoming Queen Endowed Impact Fund to the University of Alabama's RISE Center, which works with young children with and without disabilities.
The Endowed Impact Fund allows each elected Homecoming Queen to select an on-campus program or initiative to receive financial support.
🏆 One of five
Vandiver earned her place on the court through UA's preliminary selection process.
Under the university's process, applicants submit an essay and participate in an interview, with each portion scored by panels made up of faculty, staff, students or alumni. The top five combined scores advance to the general student election and become the official Homecoming Court.
Joining Vandiver on the 2026 court are Kameron Baba of Gadsden; Rylie Dewley of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Alex Jorns of Chalmette, Louisiana; and Savannah Strong of Lincoln.
Vandiver is the only candidate from Lawrence County.
🗳️ What's next?
Official campaigning begins Sunday, Oct. 11.
University of Alabama students will vote for Homecoming Queen on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The winner will be announced Friday, Oct. 23, during the Homecoming Pep Rally and Bonfire on the Quad. The entire Homecoming Court will participate in the parade and be presented during halftime of Alabama's Homecoming game against Texas A&M the following day.
For Vandiver, it's another milestone in a journey that began in Town Creek and Hatton High School and has since taken her into advanced biological research, community service and now one of the University of Alabama's biggest traditions.
NOTE: This article was written with publicly available information and is not an endorsement of Emie Vandiver as a candidate.
