Miss Arkansas

Last updated
Miss Arkansas
Formation1932
Headquarters Little Rock
Location
Membership
Miss America
Official language
English
Key people
Lacy Glover (executive director)
Website missarkansas.org

The Miss Arkansas competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss America pageant. Arkansas has won the Miss America title three times (1964, 1982, 2017).

Contents

Ebony Mitchell of Harrison was crowned Miss Arkansas 2022 on June 18, 2022, at Robinson Center Auditorium in Little Rock. She competed for the title of Miss America 2023 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut in December 2022.

Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Arkansas titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

Placements

Awards

Preliminary awards

Non-finalist awards

  • Non-finalist Talent: Marilyn Morgan (1972), Joyce McCormack (1977), Bunnie Holbert (1978), Regina Hopper (1984), Lisa Stevens (1985), Patti Thorn (1989), Beth Anne Rankin (1995)
  • Non-finalist Interview: Whitney Kirk (2004)

Other awards

  • Miss Congeniality: Sharon Evans (1968) (tie), Rhonda Pope (1975) (tie), Sloane Roberts (2013)
  • America's Choice: Sarah Slocum (2010)
  • Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship: Christi Taunton (1986)
  • Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship: Ashton Campbell (2015)
  • Quality of Life Award Winners: Claudia Raffo (2019)
  • Quality of Life Award Finalists: Kristen Glover (2012)
  • STEM Scholarship Award Finalists: Darynne Dahlem (2020)

Winners

YearNameHometownAgeLocal TitleMiss America TalentPlacement at Miss AmericaSpecial scholarships at Miss AmericaNotes
2023 Cori Keller [1] Stuttgart 25Miss MetroTap DanceTBATBA
2022 Ebony Mitchell [2] Harrison 25Miss DogwoodDancePreliminary Red Carpet, Talent, and On Stage Question Winner at Miss Arkansas 2022
2021 Whitney Williams [3] Conway 23Miss University of ArkansasBaton Twirling, "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine
2019–20 [lower-alpha 1] Darynne Dahlem [4] [5] Greenwood 22Miss Apple BlossomVocal, "Somewhere" from West Side Story STEM Scholarship Award Finalist
2018 Claudia Raffo [6] Jonesboro 22Miss Historic BatesvilleJazz Dance, "That's Life"Quality of Life Award [7]
2017 Maggie Benton [8] 22Miss Greater JonesboroVocal, "The Music of the Night"
2016 Savannah Skidmore [9] Calico Rock 21Miss University of ArkansasVocalDid not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Shields won Miss America 2017 [10]
Later Miss Arkansas USA 2019 [11]
Top 5 at Miss USA 2019 pageant [12]
Savvy Shields [10] Fayetteville 21Miss Heart of the OzarksJazz Dance, "They Just Keep Moving the Line"Winner [13] [14] Preliminary Talent AwardPreviously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2009 [15]
2015 Loren McDaniel Van Buren 22Miss Northwest ArkansasVocal, "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables Top 15
2014 Ashton Campbell [16] Hindsville 20Miss Ouachita RiverVocal, "Via Dolorosa"2nd runner-up [17] Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship [18]
2013 Amy Crain Hot Springs 23Miss Diamond LakesContemporary Clogging, "Game Time"Top 154th runner-up at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant[ citation needed ]
2012 Sloane Roberts [19] Rison 19Miss Heart of the OzarksA cappella Tap DanceMiss CongenialityPreviously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2008 [20]
2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant [21]
2011 Kristen Glover Stuttgart 22Miss Ouachita Baptist UniversityTap Dance, "Piano Sonata No. 11"Quality of Life Award Finalist
2010 Alyse Eady [22] Fort Smith 22Miss South Central ArkansasVentriloquism / Vocal, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart"1st runner-up [23] Previously Miss Teen Arkansas 2004 [24]
2009 Sarah Slocum Sheridan 23Miss Ouachita RiverVocal, "The Prayer"Top 15America's Choice
2008 Ashlen Batson Newark 21Miss Spirit of ArkansasFlute, Medley from CarmenTop 12
2007 Katie Bailey Conway 25Miss South ArkansasVocal, "Feeling Good"Top 16
2006 Amber Bennett [25] Carlisle 23Miss Central ArkansasVocal, "Come Rain or Come Shine"
2005 Eudora Mosby Hazen 23Miss Central ArkansasVocal, "Dream In Color"Top 10
2004 Lacy Fleming Hampton 22Miss Ouachita Baptist UniversityVocal, "Last Dance"3rd runner-up
2003 Whitney Kirk Cabot 22Miss Three RiversVocal / Dance, "All That Jazz"Non-finalist Interview AwardContestant at National Sweetheart 2000 pageant
2002 Lauren Davidson El Dorado 20Miss White RiverVocal, "It's Time"Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award
2001 Jessie Ward Prescott 21Miss TexarkanaTap Dance, Michael Jackson MedleyTop 10Current executive director of the Miss Arkansas organization [26]
2000 Sara Harris Forrest City 20Miss DeltaVocal, "Unchained Melody"
1999 Brandy Rhodes Hot Springs 22Miss Lake DardanelleOriginal Tap Dance, "American Rhapsody"Top 10
1998 Erin Wheatley Little Rock 22Miss White RiverVocal / Tap Dance, "I Got Rhythm"Top 10
1997 Stacy Freeman Sheridan 22Miss White RiverTap Dance, "Sing, Sing, Sing"Previously Miss Arkansas Teen USA 1992
1996 Melonie McGarrah Rogers 22Vocal, "I Will Always Love You"
1995 Paula Montgomery Cabot 22Miss Greater Little RockVocal, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man"2nd runner-upPreviously Miss Arkansas Teen USA 1991

Mother of Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2017, Aubrey Reed [27]
1994 Beth Anne Rankin Magnolia 23Miss Diamond LakesPianoNon-finalist Talent Award
1993 Nicole Bethmann Rogers 24Miss Diamond LakesVocal, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"Top 10
1992 Shannon Boy Alma 21Miss Diamond LakesFlute, Theme from Star Wars
1991 Heather Hunnicutt Fayetteville 22Miss Northwest ArkansasVocal, "Born To Be Blue"Daughter of Claudette Smith, Miss Arkansas 1960[ citation needed ]
1990 Karissa Rushing Benton 24Miss White RiverVocal, "With a Song In My Heart"
1989 Marci Lewallen Dardanelle 22Miss Arkansas ValleyVocal / Banjo, "Boogie Woogie Banjo Blues"
1988 Patti Thorn Hot Springs 23Miss Diamond LakesVocal, "Love Is Where You Find It"Non-finalist Talent Award
1987 Carole Lawson Paragould 21Miss University of ArkansasFlute / Piccolo, Medley from CarmenPreviously National Sweetheart 1986
1986 Julie Russell Fort Smith 22Miss Lake DardanelleClassical Piano with NarrationTop 10
1985 Christi Taunton Camden 20Miss CamdenPopular Vocal, "Remembering"Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship
1984 Lisa Stevens Arkadelphia 22Miss Ouachita Baptist UniversityFlute, "Sabre Dance"Non-finalist Talent Award
1983 Regina Hopper Springdale 24Miss Northwest ArkansasPopular Vocal, "You're Gonna Hear From Me"Non-finalist Talent AwardElected to the Miss America Board of Directors[ citation needed ]
1982 Mary Stuart Little Rock 20Miss White RiverVocal / Broadway Jazz Dance, "The Birth of the Blues"Top 10Later cast as Frannie Hughes on As the World Turns from 1990 to 1993[ citation needed ]
1981 Micki Petrus Hazen Miss University of Central ArkansasDid not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Ward won Miss America 1982
Grace Elizabeth Ward Russellville 20Miss White RiverVocal, "After You've Gone"Winner [28] Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness AwardPreviously National Sweetheart 1980 [28]

Infamously had short-lived affair with President Bill Clinton in 1998 [29] [30]
1980 Lencola Sullivan Morrilton 22Miss White RiverBlues Vocal, "St. Louis Blues"4th runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle and Fitness AwardFirst African-American contestant to place as a runner-up at a Miss America pageant[ citation needed ]
1979 Janet Holman North Little Rock 22Miss University of ArkansasVocal, "Somewhere"
1978 Naylene Vuurens Searcy 20Miss Diamond LakesPiano, "Etude in G Minor"
1977 Bunnie Holbert Stuttgart 20Miss White RiverVocal, "Feelings"Non-finalist Talent Award

Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1976 Joyce McCormack Little Rock 21Ballet en Pointe, "Polonaise"Non-finalist Talent Award
1975 Paula Roach Jonesboro 20Miss JonesboroPiano, Theme from Summer of '42 Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1974 Rhonda Pope Hot Springs 21Miss Hot SpringsVocal Medley, "Friends" & "With a Little Help from My Friends"Miss Congeniality (tie)
1973 Becky Hume Jonesboro 23Miss OsceolaFree Floor Exercise & Balance Beam Routine
1972 Debbye Hazelwood Magnolia 20Miss Southern State CollegePiano, Warsaw Concerto
1971 Marilyn Morgan Clarksville 20Miss ClarksvillePopular Vocal, "Something"Non-finalist Talent Award
1970 Donna Connelly Hope 19Miss State College of ArkansasVocal Medley, "Who Will Buy" from Oliver! & "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing"Top 10
1969 Marilyn Allen North Little Rock 20Miss North Little RockAcrobatic Ballet, Theme from Exodus
1968 Helen Gennings Batesville 20Miss Ouachita Baptist UniversityPopular Vocal, "What the World Needs Now Is Love" & "Love Makes the World Go Round"
1967 Sharon Evans North Little Rock 20Miss Ouachita Baptist UniversityVocal / Dance, "Mame" from Mame Miss Congeniality (tie)

Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1966 Mary Craig Batesville 18Miss BatesvilleVocal / Dancing
1965 Nita Vanhook Newport 20Miss NewportDid not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Oglesby resigned
Rhonda Oglesby Pine Bluff 19Miss University of ArkansasPopular VocalResigned after holding the title for three months [31] [32]
1964 Karen Carlson Fayetteville 20Miss University of ArkansasVocal, "As Long As He Needs Me" from Oliver! 1st runner-upEx-wife of David Soul [ citation needed ]
1963 Pam Jackson North Little Rock Miss North Little RockDid not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Axum won Miss America 1964
Donna Axum El Dorado 21Miss El DoradoVocal Medley, "Quando me'n vo'" & "I Love Paris"Winner [33] Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1962 Edye Addington Texarkana 19Miss Arkansas State Teachers' CollegeVocal Medley, "When I Fall In Love" & "This Can't Be Love"
1961 Frances Anderson Pine Bluff 19Miss Pine BluffVocal, "I Enjoy Being a Girl"1st runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1960 Claudette Smith Star City 18Miss Pine BluffVocalMother of Heather Hunnicut, Miss Arkansas 1991[ citation needed ]
1959 Suzanne Jackson North Little Rock 19Miss University of ArkansasVocal Medley from The King and I
1958 Sally Miller Pine Bluff Miss Pine BluffClassical Vocal, "Caro Nome" from Rigoletto Top 10
1957 Suzanne Scudder Hot Springs Miss University of ArkansasVocal
1956 Barbara Banks Little Rock Interpretive Ballet, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue Preliminary Talent Award
1955 Charlene Bowers Helena Vocal, "I Want To Be Evil"
1954 Sarah Martin Little Rock Classical Vocal
1953 Helen Reed Fayetteville Tap Dance
1952 Bonnie Nicksic Hot Springs Vocal / Dance, "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" from Show Boat
1951 Charlotte Simmen Little Rock Vocal & Art Exhibition3rd runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1950 Mary Jennings Hot Springs Classical Vocal, "Un Bel Di" from Madame Butterfly 3rd runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle and Fitness AwardWas a featured soprano with the New York City Opera

Judged the Miss America 1989 and 1991 pageants[ citation needed ]
1949 Barbara Brothers Little Rock Painting Display & Poetry Recitation, "Old Black Joe" & "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy"Top 15
1948 Van Louis McDaniel Forrest City Monologue, "Spartan Parents"
1947 Pam Camp Little Rock Sketching
1946 Rebecca McCall Blytheville Vocal, "Put the Blame on Mame"1st runner-upPreliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award
1945 Leslie Hampton Lake Village Vocal, "My Man"
1944 Mineola Graham Brinkley
1943 Dorris Love Jonesboro Dramatic Reading, "Letter to a Soldier"Top 10
1942 No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant [34]
1941 Ferol Amelia Dumas Magnolia
1940 Betty Benson Forrest City
1939 Jean Thompson Helena
1938 Lorene Bailey Jonesboro Piano, "Dinah"
1937 No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant [35] [36] [37]
1936
1935
1934No national pageant was held [38]
1933 Vivian Ferguson20N/ADisqualified for being married
1932Nina Ruth Hudson Harrison 14No national pageant was held [38]
1931No national pageants were held [38]
1930
1929
1928
1927 No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45]
1926
1925
1924
1923
1922
1921
Notes
  1. Titleholder extended to a second full year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic

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References

  1. Ringo, Brnadon (June 10, 2023). "Cori Keller wins 2023 Miss Arkansas competition". KARK.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. Webb, Jack (June 18, 2022). "Miss Dogwood Ebony Mitchell crowned Miss Arkansas 2022". KATV . Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  3. "Miss U of A Whitney Williams crowned Miss Arkansas 2021". KATV. June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. "Miss Arkansas 2020 postponed". 5 News Online. May 8, 2020.
  5. "Miss Apple Blossom Darynne Dahlem crowned Miss Arkansas 2019". KATV News. June 15, 2019.
  6. Wilson, Kristen (June 16, 2018). "Miss Historic Batesville Claudia Raffo crowned Miss Arkansas 2018". KATV News.
  7. "Claudia Raffo competes in Miss America". KAIT 8 News. September 9, 2018.
  8. "Miss Greater Jonesboro, Maggie Benton, crowned Miss Arkansas 2017". KTHV 11. June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on June 18, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  9. "New Miss Arkansas named after Shields wins Miss America". Arkansas Online. 12 September 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Savvy Shields of Fayetteville crowned Miss Arkansas 2016". Washington Times. 10 July 2016.
  11. Christman, Jennifer (November 25, 2018). "PAPER TRAILS: Former Miss Arkansas wins Miss Arkansas USA crown". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
  12. Liles, Scott (May 3, 2019). "Skidmore one of five Miss USA finalists". Baxter Bulletin.
  13. "Savvy Shields from Arkansas Crowned Miss America 2017" . Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  14. "Miss America 2017 is: Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields". USATODAY. September 11, 2016.
  15. "Shields crowned Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen". Log Cabin Democrat. 29 June 2009.
  16. "Ashton Campbell of Hindsville Miss Arkansas for 2014". Magnolia Reporter. June 22, 2014.
  17. "A threepeat: Miss New York Kira Kazantsev crowned Miss America". CNN. September 15, 2014.
  18. "2015 Miss America Pageant Scholarship Winners". Miss America. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  19. Buffalo, Rose Mary (July 16, 2012). "Sloane Roberts wins the title of Miss Arkansas 2012".
  20. Franco, Cheree (July 18, 2012). "Musing over Miss Arkansas". Arkansas Times.
  21. "Next in Line for Greatness". Pageantry Magazine. August 20, 2008.
  22. "Alyse Eady selected as new Miss Arkansas". Magnolia Reporter. July 17, 2010.
  23. "She's just 17! Nebraskan wins Miss America pageant". TODAY. Archived from the original on 2011-01-19.
  24. Henderson, Trennis. "2010 Ouachita grad Alyse Eady named 1st runner-up to Miss America". Ouachita Baptist University News.
  25. Buffalo, Rose Mary (July 1, 2006). "Carlisle's Amber Bennett named Miss Arkansas".
  26. "Contact" . Retrieved May 2, 2011.
  27. Rolf, Carol (June 22, 2017). "Russellville teen wins state pageant". Arkansas Online.
  28. 1 2 "Miss Arkansas Named Miss America of 1982". The New York Times. September 13, 1981.
  29. Kennedy, Helen (February 8, 2000). "She hitched her star to a wagon for the love of Bill, Hillary put her goals on hold and move to Ark. stick". New York Daily News .[ permanent dead link ]
  30. Cleary, Tom (December 13, 2016). "Bill Clinton Sex Allegations: 17 Claims of Rape & Affairs". Heavy.com.
  31. Ware, Hames (July 13, 2009). "Rhonda Lee Oglesby Coullet (1945–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  32. "RTheater : Playhouse offers "Runaway" hit". The Martha's Vineyard Times.
  33. "Arkansas' first Miss America, Donna Axum Whitworth, passes away". Magnolia Reporter. November 5, 2018.
  34. "1942 Candidates". Miss America.
  35. "1937 Candidates". Miss America.
  36. "1936 Candidates". Miss America.
  37. "1935 Candidates". Miss America.
  38. 1 2 3 "Miss America Timeline: 1901–1950". PBS .
  39. "1927 Candidates". Miss America.
  40. "1926 Candidates". Miss America.
  41. "1925 Candidates". Miss America.
  42. "1924 Candidates". Miss America.
  43. "1923 Candidates". Miss America.
  44. "1922 Candidates". Miss America.
  45. "1921 Candidates". Miss America.