Three days after being crowned as Miss University of Mobile on Feb. 2, Alana Swindler of Lexington was busy doing something truly beautiful: serving her school and community.
Todd DeatonThe daughter of Lexington Baptist Church’s student minister, John Swindler, and his wife Jennie, Alana donned a hard hat and set to work on a new home for a deserving family in Mobile.
As a representative of the Baptist-affiliated university, which has an enrollment of nearly 1,600, Alana wants “to be a positive influence” for her school in its community. So as her first act as the reigning Miss UM, Alana volunteered to assist the cast of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in constructing and furnishing a home for a family whose house was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina more than two years ago.
“I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” Alana confided to Rebecca Capone, a fellow student and writer of an article posted on the school’s web site. “Once I got there,” she added, “I was able to see how much good comes from this TV show, how organized it is and how efficient it is.”
Alana’s primary responsibility was picking up scraps and clearing debris from the yard so sod could be laid. She told Rebecca that she had decided to participate because she wanted to have the opportunity to be involved in a program that is doing good for others.
The family has eight children, the youngest of which has Down Syndrome. According to the Web site for Heritage Homes, a homebuilder company assisting with the Extreme Makeover project, the family volunteers to help organizations such as Down Syndrome Society and United Cerebral Palsy.
After her shift, Alana said she “left encouraged to see how many people were involved and really care about making a difference in the community.”
At the University of Mobile, Alana, a sophomore music major, is involved in VOICES, an elite vocal ensemble, and the University Singers. A graduate of Lexington High School, she is also a senator in the university’s Student Government Association.
Alana believes that Miss University of Mobile “should be someone who has strong godly character, is consistent in what she says and how she acts, and encourages other students, staff and professors to live striving for excellence in all things through Jesus Christ.”
Her father and mother are rightfully proud: “I am so thankful that Alana has a servant’s heart,” John Swindler remarked, “and that she wants to use her year as Miss UM serving others” – along the Way.
Only days after being crowned, Alana Swindler lends a hand to build a house for a Mobile family.