Thorsby native Susan Hamm walked away from the 2012 Miss Alabama Pageant with new friends, two awards and more than $4,000 in scholarship money.

Hamm, 23, won first runner-up and a preliminary swimsuit competition in this year’s pageant, which took place June 6–9 at Samford University.

She was a two-year veteran of the pageant when she competed this year as Miss Leeds Area 2012.

In 2010, Hamm vied for the Miss Alabama crown as Miss Samford University, and in 2011, she competed as Miss Birmingham.

“Every year, I learned a little bit, got a little better (and) honed my skills,” Hamm said. “It was just a really great experience. I’m really thrilled with the way things turned out.”

Hamm’s talent was playing the piano, and her platform was the American Cancer Society.

Hamm and her fellow Miss Alabama contestants, many of whom she already knew, “moved in” at Samford on Sunday, June 3 to start their week full of rehearsals, public appearances and pageant competitions.

“The women I competed with are absolutely fantastic,” she said. “Over the course of the week, I just made a lot of really great friendships.”

Her other accolades include a Duke of Edinburgh Award, second runner-up in Miss Samford University 2008, 2005 Miss Peach Queen and 2003 Junior Miss Peach.

She graduated from Samford University last May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She majored in marketing and management.

“Eventually, I would love to go back and get my MBA,” Hamm said. “I love school, and I love to learn, so I’ll definitely be going back soon.”

Hamm is the daughter of Mark and Beverly Hamm of Thorsby and has a younger brother, Zach.