“When I returned from college, I did some auditioning in New York. I came to the decision that that was not the life for me – performing in New York. That was really hard because it was almost like I was giving up on my dream, but, at that point, it was something that I wasn’t totally 100% committed to in my gut. That was a tough turning point for me because I was still very young. In hindsight, I could’ve gone for it, but life has been beautiful since so I know it was the right decision. It was a gut decision. I had an opportunity available to me, a good job where I could stay with my family in Alabama and yet still do some performing here. It really did work out like it was supposed to be.” – Leigh Sherer Seirafi, Miss Alabama 1995, from Jasper.

Seirafi is a Samford University graduate who now lives in Jupiter, Florida. There are many things she misses about Alabama. This biggest is family.

“We’re 12 hours away. It’s tough. I miss my family and friends and the deep South, you can’t beat it,” she said.

Leigh Sherer Seirafi was crowned Miss Alabama in 1995. (Tamika Moore / People of Alabama)

Visiting home has taught her to cherish the small moments.

“You have to enjoy the small moments because times goes by, especially with my children. Being home and seeing my parents, seeing my children’s small pictures around the house of when they were toddlers, it just seems like we were just there in that moment, but years have passed.”

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.