Swann to compete in Miss Alabama Teen USA

Published 3:00 pm Saturday, October 5, 2019

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A Greenville teen is going to be competing for a state beauty title this weekend in “the loveliest village on the plain.”

Dailyn Swann, a senior at Greenville High School, will be vying for the title of Miss Alabama Teen USA Oct. 4-5, at the Gogue Performing Arts Center in Auburn.

“Several people involved with the Miss Teen USA circuit kept encouraging me to compete, but I kept disregarding it,” Dailyn, the daughter of Jeff and Julie Swann, said. “Finally, two people I’ve worked with in the pageant circuit reached out to me and convinced me. I’m jumping into the competition very late, but I thought it would be exciting to compete in a state pageant.”

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While she is new to the Miss Teen USA competition, Dailyn, 16, is no stranger to elegant gowns, satin sashes or sparkling crowns.

She already has the titles of Miss Fort Dale Academy (JV and varsity), Miss Butler County Bicentennial, Miss Hank Williams, Miss Butler County Fair, Miss Merry Christmas and was three times selected as Miss Relay For Life.

It all started at the tender age of four, when little Dailyn walked the stage of Georgiana’s Miss Merry Christmas Pageant and took the title.
She says she is definitely feeling a rush of emotions as she prepares for her first state competition.
“My mom and I are excited, of course!” Dailyn admits. “I’m nervous to a certain extent, but more anxious. I’m ready to take on this exciting adventure and see what it’s all about. Having the time to prepare has been my biggest challenge. I’m taking 13 credit hours through LBW and working two jobs currently, so managing my time has been challenging and somewhat stressful.”
During the competition in Auburn, Dailyn will be judged in interview, evening gown and fitness.

“I am concentrating on working on my fitness and preparing for the interview,” the teen, who is serving in her third year as a Camellia Girl for the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

A recent transfer to the high school, Dailyn was elected to serve as the secretary of the Key Club. She is also a Tiger Representative and says she hopes to make the track and soccer teams in the spring.
As for future plans beyond the halls of GHS, “I haven’t really decided on a career choice yet . . . there’s a big world that I haven’t explored yet,” Dailyn explains.

“I really want to keep my choices open. I have considered a career in law and taking over my Uncle Brandon’s (Sellers) law firm. He’s getting older and will need a junior partner soon,” she quips, adding,

“Seriously, I do still want to explore different career opportunities.”
Dailyn aspires to participate in the Miss Alabama USA program one day, but only if her schedule allows it.

“I think competing in college will really depend on how much time I have, once I’m a full-time college student and also on what my major is. My grades will certainly be my primary focus, but I hope to have the time to compete,” she explains.

And she has the full support of her parents and extended family whatever her future choices may be for college and career.

“I have always encouraged both my girls, Sellers and Dailyn, to be dream chasers,” Julie Swann said. “I want them to turn their dreams into goals and their goals into reality. They have always had a strong support system — my late parents, Carl and Janet Sellers, my brother Brandon and Jeff and I.”

Julie also credits Greenville and the broader Butler County community, along with the Butler County School System, for supporting and encouraging her daughters both in and outside of school.

“That support and encouragement is empowering and it’s helping them even now,” Julie stresses.

She and Jeff also believe it’s good to teach children fiscal responsibility along the way.

“Dailyn is responsible for a portion of her fees for the state pageant to give her ownership in her extracurriculars,” Julie explained. “And so she’s selling T-shirts to raise funds to help offset her costs and I’ve delivered them for her. Anyone interested in a T-shirt can call or message me, as I will be placing a final order soon. I have to give a huge shout-out to Lori Woodard at Southern Graphics for getting the shirts to me on such quick notice. She and Chris really helped Dailyn out in a big way.”

As for Dailyn, she is feeling the love—and the gratitude.

“I just want to thank my entire community for all the love and support,” she concluded. “It truly takes a village—and I have the best one.”