Miss Arkansas Week!

The Miss Arkansas Organization is so important to Arkansans because they showcase the best young women in the state. Women compete for Miss Arkansas, no matter their race, height, or weight, and get to share their passions, dreams and talents with the entire state. The Miss Arkansas Organization strives to help young women reach their goals through promotion of their platforms, community service and scholarship. June 13th- June 17th, the week of Miss Arkansas, $172,000 worth of scholarships were given to those who competed in the pageant. Scholarships for categories ranging from those who gave the most to the Children's Miracle Network, to most community service, to the best swimwear/ evening gown, and interview were distributed to the contestants. I got to experience the Miss Arkansas Pageant through all the preliminary competitions as well as during finals for both Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen competition, and the Miss Arkansas competition. Here are a few of my thoughts from pageant week….

Let’s start with the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen competition! I personally believe that the outstanding teen competition was way more interesting than the Miss competition because all of the girls were more talented than I expected! I think audience members expect Miss Contestants to be more trained as far as talent is concerned and expect Outstanding Teen talent competition to be cutesy than so competitive. But it was the contrary. I competed twice in Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen prelims, and got 1st runner up and 3rd runner up a few years ago before I won my first international pageant title. I know from experience that it was really hard work and I didn't even make it to the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen stage! But to actually sit down and see the competition without being a contestant, gave me a whole new perspective on the competition. When it came to evening gown and onstage question, I truly enjoyed listening to the young girls talk about their platforms, views and opinions. These girls are so educated and concerned about so many different things which could improve the lives of Arkansans. I honestly found myself in awe at how clearly the contestants could articulate and communicate exactly what they want to do and the change they want to see. I really don't know why I was so in awe because I talk about my views and opinions all the time, but I guess seeing and hearing the passion for their platforms up close and personal was so inspiring.

The Miss contestants were so great! I got to speak briefly with a few of the Miss contestants during the week and I’m grateful to have gotten to know likeminded young women who truly want to work for our state to make it better. The competition was amazing and each of the young women were entertaining. I could definitely tell that they worked really hard to give the audience a great show. Just like the teens, the talent competition was so advanced. Everyone, in my opinion, did an awesome job with their craft and really worked it. The onstage questions were okay in my opinion. I feel like some of the contestants could have been a little more articulate with their answers and what they were trying to say. However, we got the point so it was alright. As someone who has reached the Miss level myself, it was really inspiring to see the girls compete. Since becoming a Miss I've competed in two pageants, International Junior Miss and Miss Exquisite International, so it was great to see other girls compete in my age division. I want to compete in the Miss Arkansas prelims again because I met so many amazing people during my times competing when I did compete, and this past week really gave me the encouragement to get back to it, so we’ll have to see.

One thing I admire about the Miss Arkansas Organization is the mentorship of the Diamond State Princess’s. This year, there were 132 or 133 Diamond State Princess’s and there was a Diamond State Prince as well. The Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and Miss Arkansas contestants have Diamond State Princess’s and Prince’s that they mentor who were crowned during pageant week, and got to be a part of the magic at Miss Arkansas. They had their own dance productions to Hand Clap by Fitz and the Tantrums (which has become my new favorite song), and the infamous Miss America song, where our own Miss America, Savvy Shields, joined them on stage. They were all so cute in their dance outfits and their white evening gowns. During the evening gown competitions, the Diamond State Princess’s got to walk out with their contestant and make their appearance in front of everybody. I loved seeing the support and love each little girl, and guy had for their contestant which showed the impact the contestants had on their young companions. I’ve always been an advocate of being a strong role model for everyone around you, but especially the young children, because we can guide them to embracing what is important. When we do that, and when we are older and in their hands, it is assured that they are doing what is right. Or simply, the children are our future, and we want the best for them.

Also, I admire the dedication that the Miss America Organization gives to the Children's Miracle Network. Each contestant give to CMN and it is such a great experience to support such a life changing organization. The Children's Miracle Network works tirelessly to provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada, and they do it by appreciating those who donate, volunteer, and give time and energy to such an amazing cause. The Miss Arkansas Organization is very supportive of the Children's Miracle Network. During pageant week, and throughout the year, Miss Arkansas contestants have the opportunity to volunteer at the Arkansas Children's Hospital. The children that CMN helps are children who, at such a young age, have had to experience illnesses that nobody should ever have to go through, and because of CMN, so many of those children get to live a normal life and are able to heal.

Little Rock, was an amazing host for the pageant, the venue was nice, and the contestants, staff, and everyone who was a part of the production did an amazing job! There was an exhibit at the Old Statehouse Museum downtown, with a presentation of the evening gowns from past Miss Arkansas titleholders including the three Miss America’s that came from Arkansas. The decoration downtown with the flags and banners promoting Miss Arkansas were so cute and showed how loved the Miss Arkansas Organization is. My friends who competed this year said they were very impressed and felt so at home by the hospitality Little Rock showed them. Also, I WAS ON THE NEWS!!! While at the Show Me Your Shoes Parade on Saturday morning, all the contestants showed those in attendance their creativity with shoes they designed to represent their local titles! While there, totally unprepared by the way, I ended up having an interview with KATV about how important it is to have programs such as Miss Arkansas for young girls to be a part of.

Congratulations to Aubrey Reed, Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and Maggie Benton, Miss Arkansas. Both of these young ladies are beautiful inside and out. They have amazing spirits and will represent the state of Arkansas flawlessly. Both of these ladies were so talented, and shined through every phase of competition all week long. The top 5 as well as the semifinalists all shined and were amazing. All in all, this year’s competition was one for the books!

-JoJo