Ouachita Stories

Kiley Wright, a senior biology major from Glenwood, Ark., representing EEE Women’s Social Club, was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2013 on March 2 at Jones Performing Arts Center. Wright will represent Ouachita Baptist University in the Miss Arkansas Pageant this summer.

“I feel so honored to be representing Ouachita as the new Miss OBU. Representing OBU at the Miss Arkansas pageant is definitely something that I'm looking forward to,” Wright said. “I am also thrilled to have the opportunity to share my platform, Animal Cruelty Awareness, with others on a much larger scale. I know that there are so many great experiences to be had as Miss OBU, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the next year.”

Wright also was awarded the Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimwear Award. First runner-up and winner of the Most Photogenic Award and the Presence and Poise in Evening Wear Award was Kris Wright, a junior pre-nursing major from Glenwood, Ark. Second runner-up was Alison Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La. Third runner-up and winner of the Mac Sisson Alpha Talent Award, Academic Award and the Artistic Expression in Talent Award was Caitlin Secrest, a junior vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark. Fourth runner-up and winner of the Spirit of the Pageant Award was Sarah Gaskin, a freshman mass communications major from Lawrence, Kan.

Jillian Turner, a sophomore voice and piano major from Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded the Inner and Outer Beauty Award. Rachel Chandler, a freshman biology major from Little Rock, Ark., was awarded the Academic Award along with Secrest. Gracie Lundstrum, a sophomore mass communications and speech communications major from Springdale, Ark., was awarded the Private Interview Award, People’s Choice Award and Miss Congeniality.

Other contestants competing in this year’s pageant included Lauren Bundy, a junior biology major from Rogers, Ark; Micale Kocke, a sophomore biology major from Cabot, Ark.; Elizabeth Lawson, a junior music education major from Texarkana, Texas; Anna Cathryn Massey, a sophomore biology major from McGehee, Ark.; Paige Onyuru, a sophomore biology and chemistry major from Hot Springs, Ark.; Abby Rayfield, a senior communication disorders and history major from Ashdown, Ark.; Perri Snear, a freshman business major from Prosper, Texas; Shelby Sutton, a freshman worship arts major from Little Elm, Texas; and Natalie Whisenant, a senior biology major from Fort Worth, Texas.

Former Miss Ouachita Baptist University and Miss Arkansas 2004 Lacy Glover emceed the pageant alongside OBU Student Senate President Justin Young, a junior business administration and management major from Springdale, Ark.

This year’s Court of Honor featured Jake Briggs, a freshman music major from Alexander, Ark.; Stephen Curry, a sophomore church music major from Little Rock, Ark.; Joseph Hurst, a junior accounting major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Abby Lindsey, a sophomore business administration and management major from Van Buren, Ark.; Nicole Mattson, a junior musical theatre major Rowlett, Texas; and Carli Sasser, a junior music education major from Crossett, Ark.

Guests presenting entertainment during the pageant included Ouachita alumna Stephanie Epps, Miss Ouachita Baptist University’s Diamond State Princess Chloe Hargis and current student and reigning Miss Greater Hot Springs, Brandi Hull, a senior psychology major from Longview, Texas.

The pageant was a collaborative effort of pageant directors and Ouachita alumni Justin Harper and Kirt Thomas, as well as Ouachita’s Student Senate and Office of Campus Activities. For more information, contact Ouachita’s Office of Campus Activities at (870) 245-5597.

By Kristen Barnard