Melissa Mercer, Miss UAB 2025, is set to graduate Saturday, May 3 — just eight weeks before she takes the stage to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Alabama.While many young girls dream of one day becoming Miss America, that was not the path Melissa Mercer envisioned for herself. After competing in a single pageant during elementary school, she left the stage behind, planning to never return. Little did she realize that she would one day be competing for Miss Alabama.

Growing up, Mercer often grappled with self-confidence. Her parents enrolled her in various sports like cheerleading and dance, hoping to boost her spirits. However, as she entered middle school, her enthusiasm for those activities began to wane, and she became increasingly reserved. When her brother started taking taekwondo classes, Mercer found a spark of interest. Intrigued by the sport’s dynamic energy, she asked her parents in eighth grade if she could join the classes as well, marking a pivotal moment in her journey toward building confidence.

“At first, I was really nervous,” Mercer said. “As women, we are sometimes taught not to be aggressive, so it pushed me to put myself out there in that way — but I am so glad that I did because it transformed my life.”

Mercer dedicated herself to taekwondo training throughout high school, honing her skills and building confidence along the way. After graduating from the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile, Alabama, she eagerly anticipated beginning her Blazer journey at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges.

In the fall of 2024, the Spanish Fort native eagerly anticipated the unforgettable moments her senior year at UAB would bring. When she came across an advertisement for the upcoming Miss UAB competition, she saw it as the perfect chance to make her final year even more memorable. Realizing it was her last opportunity to participate, she seized the moment and decided to sign up.

“I thought it would be a great chance to try something new and put myself out there,” Mercer said. “I am terrified of public speaking and saw this as a great time to work on that.”

This June, Mercer will join accomplished women from across the state in the competition for the coveted title of Miss Alabama 2025.On Nov. 9, 2024, in a moment she never anticipated, Mercer took center stage and was crowned the new Miss UAB, marking a triumphant and unforgettable milestone in her journey.

“I did not expect to win, especially with this being my first ‘real’ pageant. I worked really hard and trained, and I’m so honored that I was chosen to represent the university with this title.”

UAB’s own Miss Congeniality

Service lies at the heart of the Miss America organization, encouraging participants to design a community service initiative that reflects their passion for making a difference locally and statewide. For Mercer, the choice was clear — she drew inspiration from the activity that had instilled the greatest sense of confidence in her: mixed martial arts.

Mercer launched “EmpowerHer Self-Defense,” an initiative dedicated to instilling confidence in women by teaching them the emboldening art of self-defense.

“My ultimate goal with my service initiative is to help women feel safe and confident,” Mercer said. “Self-defense is a lifesaving measure for yourself and for those around you, and it can build someone’s confidence in their everyday life.”

Through her service initiative, Mercer has organized free self-defense workshops both on UAB’s campus and in neighboring communities. These sessions have empowered countless women, instilling in them the confidence to embrace their strength and realize their bold, powerful potential.

When asked if a certain popular movie had inspired her service initiative, Mercer confessed she had not seen it since childhood. However, in an amusing twist of fate, she did earn the title of Miss Congeniality during the 2024 Miss UAB competition.

Commencement stage to Miss Alabama stage

Mercer is set to graduate with high distinguished honors from the UAB Honors College, earning her undergraduate degree in bioinformatics alongside minors in computer science and biology. However, her Blazer journey will continue as she is currently pursuing an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in data science, with plans to complete her master’s degree by next spring.

After proudly crossing the commencement stage on Saturday, May 3, Mercer will set her sights on her next milestone — the Miss Alabama stage. With her unwavering determination and the momentum of her academic achievements, she is ready to embrace this next challenge and shine in the spotlight.

This June, Mercer will join accomplished women from across the state in the competition for the coveted title of Miss Alabama 2025. With pride and determination, she looks forward to donning the Miss UAB sash and crown, embodying the spirit of her university as she showcases her unwavering Blazer pride.

“No matter what, I hope to make the UAB community proud on the Miss Alabama stage.”