2026 Charity Ball Queen:

Miss Taylor Rivers wheeler

Queen Taylor Rivers Wheeler, a native of Columbus, is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Jason Dunn and Mr. and Mrs. Jason Patrick Wheeler. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rivers Dickerson, Mr. James Douglas Wheeler, and the late Mrs. Patricia Honnoll Wheeler. Her mother, Ashli Dickerson Dunn, is a Life Member of Junior Auxiliary and served as President of Junior Auxiliary from 2023–2024.

A 2022 graduate of Heritage Academy, Taylor was inducted into the Heritage Academy Hall of Fame. During her time at Heritage, she was a member of the National Honor Society, serving as Secretary, as well as the National Beta Club, Junior Beta Club, MAIS Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Quill and Scroll, and the Academic Honor Roll. She was voted by her classmates as “Most Likely to Be Remembered,” “Most Athletic,” “Most Talented,” and “Class Favorite.”

Taylor distinguished herself both academically and athletically. She was a dedicated member of the Heritage Academy basketball team for six years and served as team captain her senior year. She was a member of the cheerleading squad in eighth grade, junior  and senior years and earned UCA All-American Cheerleader honors. During her senior year, she competed on the volleyball team and was selected to the All-MAIS Second Team. She also played softball in seventh grade, freshman, and sophomore years and participated in track from seventh grade through her junior year. Taylor served as editor of the Heritage Academy yearbook and was an active member of the MCA Social Club throughout high school, ultimately serving as President.

She was selected as Miss Teen Columbus 2019, Homecoming Maid her junior year, Heritage Academy’s 2021 Homecoming Queen, and Miss Heritor 2022 during her senior year.

Taylor is an active member of Church of the Highlands in Tuscaloosa.

Currently a senior at the University of Alabama, Taylor maintains a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Management Communication. She is a recipient of the UA Culverhouse School of Business Academic Scholarship and the Barbara and Robert Wilbur Academic Scholarship. She was also awarded the inaugural Leslie Hollis Memorial Scholarship, established in honor of the late Leslie Hollis, daughter-in-law of the current Charity Ball King. Taylor has been named to both the President’s List and Dean’s List each semester.

She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, recognized among the top five percent of University of Alabama students for academic and leadership excellence, and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, representing the top 20 percent of students academically. In the summer of 2025, she studied Intensive Italian for two months in Florence, Italy.

Taylor is an active member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She was selected to serve on the Freshman Philanthropy Committee in 2022 and continued her service on the Philanthropy Committee from 2022 through 2024, helping raise over $100,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. During her junior year, she was selected as Director of First Year Experience, where she mentored and supported more than 150 new members, planning and executing Bid Day, Bid Day Retreat, and educational workshops to integrate them into the chapter while promoting academic achievement and leadership development. In Fall 2025, she served as Recruitment Rotations Chair, organizing recruitment events and schedules for more than 2,000 potential new members and coordinating logistics and communication for one of the largest recruitment efforts in the nation. She is also a member of Professional Women in Communication and Business.

Taylor is a member of the University of Alabama Intramural Basketball and Flag Football Championship-winning teams in 2025, demonstrating leadership and teamwork both on and off the field.

She is deeply committed to service and has led fundraising efforts at the University of Alabama for Operation Smile, supporting life-changing surgical procedures for children born with cleft lips and palates. She serves as an Al’s Pals Tutor, assisting underserved children with homework, building confidence, and fostering a love of learning. Taylor has volunteered with Loaves and Fishes to assist with local food drives in Columbus, providing meals and resources to families in need. She also volunteers with the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter through its “Happy Hour” program, walking and socializing dogs while coordinating food and supply drives. Additionally, she collected gently used purses and cosmetic bags for Junior Auxiliary of Tupelo’s clothing closet, supporting women in need.

Taylor was a member of the 2022 Charity Ball Court and is honored to represent Junior Auxiliary as the 2026 Charity Ball Queen.