Ouachita Stories

Three Ouachita Baptist University alumnae were among the Top Ten participants in the 2012 Miss Arkansas Pageant, including Bethany Whitfield (OBU Class of 2011), who was named second runner-up.

Whitfield, a former Miss OBU, competed this year as Miss Greater Little Rock. Other Ouachita graduates in the Top Ten included Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas Brooke Ault (OBU Class of 2012) and Miss Diamond Lakes Abby Turner (OBU Class of 2011).

MaryLacey Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major at Ouachita and the reigning Miss OBU, finished in the Top 15.

In addition to her second runner-up honor, Whitfield received the Crowd Favorite Award as well as preliminary awards for artistic expression in talent and lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit.

Ault received the Coleman Dairy Talent Award, the Tommy Lyons Overall Talent Award, the Alpha Overall Talent Award, an Alpha Interview Award and a Dr. Rhys Branman Newcomer Award as well as two preliminary awards for artistic expression in talent.

Turner received the Tony Bowls/Mon Cheri People’s Choice Award and a Service Before Self Community Service Award.

Thomson received the Frances Wilson Non-Finalist Vocal Award and a Dr. Rhys Branman Newcomer Award.

Other current Ouachita students who received awards include Miss Metro Candace Carr, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major, who received the Renee Fronabarger Arrival Award; Sarah Liz Carter, a junior mathematics and computer science major, who received an Alpha Arrival Award; and Miss Ozark Highlands Abby Lindsey, a sophomore business administration/management major, who received the Bob Wheeler Spirit of the Pageant Award, a Service Before Self Community Service Award and an Alpha Award for artistic expression in talent.

Former Miss OBU Kristen Glover (OBU Class of 2011), served the past year as Miss Arkansas 2011. She crowned Miss Arkansas 2012 Sloane Roberts of Rison. Miss Arkansas 2004 Lacy Fleming Glover (OBU Class of 2004) and Miss Arkansas 2010 Alyse Eady (OBU Class of 2010) were among co-hosts for this year’s competition.

By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications