Air Force teen crowned Miss Cabot

  • Published
  • By Ashley Mangin
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs volunteer contributor
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  In the Year of the Air Force Family, one Air Force family is helping to further the base's reputation in the local community.

This year's Miss Cabot competition held a pleasant surprise for the Randall family. Ally Randall, daughter of Chaplain (Capt.) Sean Randall was crowned Miss Cabot in her second year competing. This year, she highlighted her family's musical inclination by writing her own song for the talent competition.

"I won the talent competition and that was enough for me, but when they called my name for Miss Cabot, I was in shock," she said.

"We were all shocked and pleasantly delighted," said Ally's mother, Sandra Randall.

Ally entered the competition last year at the urging of one of her teachers who encouraged her through the experience, but she said the reasons she competes are all her own.

"I compete because it's fun, and I make a lot of new friends," Ally said. "In the future, I hope to earn some scholarships."

Her father thinks it was an excellent message to the people of Cabot that Airmen from Little Rock Air Force Base care about the local community too.

"People think the Air Force is just going to blow in and blow back out, but that's not the case," Chaplain Randall said. "I actually had someone comment to me that it looks like we're one of them now."

Ally also hopes that her coronation can assist her aspirations.

"I absolutely hope Miss Cabot will open doors for me to help support others."

The Air Force value of "service before self" has influenced her future career choices as well.

"If I had one wish," Ally said, "I would wish to already have my degree in architecture and already be building refugee camps in South America or Darfur, Sudan."

Her confidence and ambitions are greatly influenced by her parents and the values held by an Air Force family.

"We like to say that she'll get her affirmation from her Papa and her identity from her Mama, and it was wonderful to see that come to light," said Chaplain Randall.

"When you move to so many different places, you become loyal to each other just like you're loyal to your country," Ally said. "It just changes your outlook on life."