Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host the 2011 Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus. Twelve Ouachita women will compete for the crown. They will be judged on lifestyle and fitness, talent, private interview and poise in evening gown.

“Judges are looking for someone who represents what Ouachita is: faith and learning,” said Miss OBU 2010 Bethany Briscoe. She added that they also are seeking “a girl who is confident, engaging, talented and beautiful.

“I love Miss OBU because I know that carrying this crown will make this young woman feel so proud of her accomplishment as well as so blessed to be able to represent her school,” Briscoe added. “Wearing this crown gives you poise and confidence and the opportunity to give so much back to Ouachita."

OBU alumni Justin Harper and Kirt Thomas are the directors of the pageant with the help of Becca Woodall, OBU assistant director of campus activities. The special events committee of Ouachita’s Student Senate is also helping coordinate the event.

“I love being involved with Miss OBU because it’s another way to be involved on campus while supporting the girls I know in Miss OBU,” said Emily Parker, a sophomore early childhood education major from Shreveport, La., who is on the Student Senate committee. “Everyone should come out and support their friends and their school.”

Woodall echoed Parker’s perspective, saying, “Come support your friends and student groups represented as well as participate in a longstanding OBU tradition!”

The 12 women competing for the crown are: Nikki Anderson, a junior choral music education major from Heber Springs, Ark.; Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Kristen Barnard, a freshman mass communications major from Hot Springs, Ark.; Aubrey Elliot, a junior instrumental music education major from Bentonville, Ark.; Kristen Glover, a senior chemistry major from Stuttgart, Ark.; Meg Gosser, a senior mass communications and speech communication major from Coppell, Texas; Breanna Holder, a sophomore church music major from El Dorado, Ark.; Brandi Hull, a junior psychology and music major from Longview, Texas; Mary Ellen Hunthrop, a freshman early childhood education major from White Hall, Ark.; Lauren Linton, a freshman musical theatre major from Millington, Tenn.; Haley Prowell, a junior business administration and finance major from Rogers, Ark.; Madison Scott, a sophomore psychology major from Little Rock, Ark.; and Taylor Stanford, a sophomore chemistry major from White Hall, Ark.

Along with Briscoe, a 2010 Ouachita graduate, the following current students will provide additional entertainment during the pageant as part of the Court of Honor: Stephanie Batsel, a junior music major from Mansfield, Texas; Michael Curtis, a sophomore music major from Wylie, Texas; Leslyn Ichter, a senior music education major from Katy, Texas; Abby Turner, a senior business administration and marketing major from Sherwood, Ark.; and Bethany Whitfield, a senior history major from Bryant, Ark.

Tickets are $10 each for the general public and $5 for students. Tickets are general admission and may be bought at the JPAC box office the day of the event. For more information, contact Becca Woodall at [email protected] or (870) 245-5597.

By Meg Gosser