Alison grew up in Meadville, a small town in Pennsylvania with her mother Melinda, father Jim and brother J.R. Irwin. She attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in exercise physiology. While in college she was a member of delta zeta sorority and pitt dance team. In 2001 she won the crown of Miss Crawford County 2001 allowing her to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania pagent (she was unable to attend). Later in 2002, Alison won another title as Miss Steel Valley again allowing her to compete in Miss Pennsylvania pagent - her platform issue was domestic violence. In 2003 Alison was crowned Miss Greater Junitata Valley, she chose to relinquish her crown to be on Big Brother (2000). Show less «