Ouachita Stories

Kristen Glover, a senior chemistry major from Stuttgart, Ark., was crowned 2011 Miss Ouachita Baptist University in the annual pageant held Feb. 26 in Jones Performing Arts Center on the Ouachita campus. Glover will represent Ouachita Baptist University at the Miss Arkansas Pageant July 10-16 in Hot Springs, Ark.

“I was overwhelmed and relieved to finally receive the title that I had worked so hard for,” Glover said. “Because of the success of girls holding the title before me, I have big shoes to fill but desire to serve and represent this university as best as possible. Ouachita’s community, support and motivation are what I am proud to represent.”

Miss OBU 2010 Bethany Briscoe and Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady, who both performed during the evening, crowned Glover. “Kristen has been a strong supporter and lover of Miss OBU and I’m glad she will be the next one to represent us in Miss Arkansas,” Briscoe said. “She has so much dedication to the school and it’s a privilege Ouachita chose her to be the next representation.”

In her role as Miss OBU, Glover was rewarded a $1,000 scholarship by the university as well as photography, wardrobe allowances and other prizes from businesses that supported the event. Her platform is Second Chances: Empowering Youth to Rise Above.

Glover is the daughter of Keith and Mary Glover of Stuttgart, Ark. She has been a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club for three years where she served as head Tiger Tunes director for the “White House Secretaries” performance this year. She also serves on the steering committee for Ouachita Student Foundation and works with the office of admissions to recruit prospective students.

“Above all, Ouachita has instilled within me a desire to serve and I have been inspired by so many professors, staff and fellow students who truly make a difference through service,” Glover said. “This university has helped form me into the woman I am today. I hope that this title is only one way in which I continue to give back to Ouachita in the future.”

Glover also won the Private Interview Award, Venue Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimwear Award, Venue Presence and Poise in Evening Wear Award, People’s Choice Award and tied with first runner-up Brooke Ault for the Artistic Expression in Talent Award.

In addition to Glover, 11 other contestants nominated by various clubs and organizations on campus, competed in this year’s pageant. First runner-up and winner of the Mac Sisson Alpha Talent Award was Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark. Second runner-up was Mary Ellen Hunthrop, a freshman childhood education major from White Hall, Ark. Third runner-up was Aubrey Elliot, a senior instrumental music education major from Bentonville, Ark., and fourth runner-up and winner of the Most Photogenic Award and Spirit of the Pageant Award was Haley Prowell, a junior business finance major from Rogers, Ark. Taylor Stanford, a sophomore chemistry major from White Hall, Ark., received both the Lauren English Inner and Outer Beauty Award and the Academic Award. Meg Gosser, a senior mass communications and speech communications double major from Coppell, Texas, earned the Miss Congeniality Award.

Other contestants included: Nikki Anderson, a junior music education major from Heber Springs, Ark.; Kristen Barnard, a freshman mass communications major from Hot Springs, Ark.; Breanna Holder, a sophomore church music major from El Dorado Ark.; Brandi Hull, a sophomore psychology major from Longview, Texas; and Lauren Linton, a freshman musical theatre major from Memphis, Tenn.

Ouachita alumna Lacy Fleming Glover, a former Miss OBU and Miss Arkansas and third runner-up to Miss America 2004, served as the pageant’s emcee along with Student Senate President Jacob Lively, a junior biology major from Hooks, Texas.

In addition to Briscoe and Eady, those performing on the Court of Honor and Band of Honor were Stephanie Batsel, a junior choral music education major from Mansfield, Texas; Michael Curtis, a sophomore music major from Wylie, Texas; Cortnie Devore, a senior musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark.; Sky Howard, a senior church music major from Nacogdoches, Texas; Leslyn Ichter, a senior choral music education major from Katy, Texas; Abby Turner, a senior business administration marketing major from Sherwood, Ark.; Bethany Whitfield, a senior history major from Bryant, Ark.; Will Wooten, a sophomore biology major from Conway, Ark.; and Zach Zucha, a sophomore business administration major from Sachse, Texas.

By Breanne Goodrum