Ouachita Stories

Megan Lindsey, a junior mass communications major from Camden, Ark., was named Ouachita Baptist University's 2009 Ouachitonian Beauty on April 28.

The competition, which is a long-standing tradition at Ouachita, involved individual contestant interviews with a panel of alumni judges. The seven contestants were judged largely by their interviews, but also on their beauty and poise. The winner received a trophy and will have a profile in the 2009 Ouachitonian yearbook.

"I went into the competition with the goals of being myself, having fun and representing my sponsor as well as Ouachita in a respectful way," Lindsey said. "I was both extremely honored and very excited to be given such a wonderful title that represented a university that I love so much. ... The title of Ouachitonian Beauty means being an example of Ouachita that represents what a hard-working and respectful Christian woman is, inside and out."

Lindsey, the daughter of Dr. Mickey and Beth Lindsey of Camden, has served as assistant editor of the Ouachitonian, social chair and keeper of the beaus for EEE Women's Social Club and little sis of Kappa Chi Men's Social Club. The men of Kappa Chi sponsored Lindsey in the competition. She is also a member of Ouachita's student chapter of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Lindsey's brother, Gannon, is a freshman at Ouachita. She also has one sister, Amelia.

"Megan is one of my pledge sisters in the EEEs and I am so excited for her," said Megan Fida, first runner-up in the competition. "She truly has a heart of gold, just as all the other ladies were extremely beautiful."

Fida is a junior mass communications major from Allen, Texas. The daughter of David and Sandra Fida of Allen, she is a member of EEE Women's Social Club, Student Senate, College Republicans and IABC. She has been named to the Dean's List and has volunteered with Tiger Serve Day and Relay for Life. She was sponsored by the women of EEE.

"I felt extremely honored just to be nominated by the women of EEE and wanted to represent them as best I could," Fida said. "It means a whole lot to me that I was able to place highly. Ouachita has an incredible student body, faculty that truly cares about their students and administration that work so hard, and to represent that in any placement is such an honor!"

Julie Hagar expressed similar enthusiasm for the competition and the university. Hagar is a sophomore mass communications and political science double-major from Mansfield, Texas. "I absolutely love Ouachita and everything that it represents to the students, alumni and community. I wanted to be able to express that in front of the judges, because the contest was not about me, but about this amazing university."

Hagar is the daughter of Mike and Carrie Delker of Mansfield and is involved with Campus Ministries and producing Ouachita's monthly "Ouachita Show" television show. She is a member of EEE Women's Social Club, is a Welcome to Ouachita's World leader and has been named to the Dean's List.

By Brooke Showalter