Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host the 2014 Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant Saturday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. The 12 students competing for the crown will be judged on talent, evening gown, onstage questions, private interviews and fitness.

The pageant is directed by OBU alumnus Justin Harper and is hosted by Ouachita’s Student Senate and Office of Campus Activities. Lacy Glover, a former Miss OBU and Miss Arkansas, will serve as emcee. Ouachita alumnae, business professionals and pageant directors from the surrounding region will serve as judges for the event.

The Miss OBU Pageant, a longstanding tradition at Ouachita, is an affiliate of the Miss America Organization. According to Harper, Miss America is the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women.

“It’s more than just a beauty pageant,” Harper explained. “The focus is not centered around beauty, but is instead based around the scholarships the girls can receive.”

“Miss OBU sends young women out into the world who are self aware, confident, caring and determined to make a difference,” added Miss OBU 2013 Kiley Wright.

The winner of Miss OBU will represent Ouachita at the Miss Arkansas Pageant where Ouachita students “have a long history of performing well,” Harper said. “We have finished in at least the top 15 for the last six years,” including 2011 when Miss OBU Kristen Glover was crowned Miss Arkansas.

The 12 contestants competing for this year’s crown include:

• Jessica Allen, a senior history major from Little Rock, Ark., representing Dr. Wesley Kluck, vice president for student services.

• Bethany Arredondo, a sophomore mass communications and speech communication major from Prosper, Texas, representing EEE Women’s Social Club’s 2013 pledge class.

• Abbey Little, a freshman mass communications major from Pearcy, Ark., representing EEE Women’s Social Club’s 2014 pledge class.

• Kathryn Barfield, a sophomore pre-medicine major from New Boston, Texas, representing Tri Chi Women’s Social Club’s 2014 pledge class.

• Kelsi Bodine, a senior history major from Webb City, Mo., representing Student Senate.

• Morgan Brothers, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Collierville, Tenn., representing Tri Chi Women’s Social Club.

• Ashley Bundy, a senior vocal performance major from Justin, Texas, representing SAI Women’s Music Fraternity.

• Mariah Gough, a freshman pre-medicine major from Calion, Ark., representing Chi Delta Women’s Social Club.

• Bekah Hall, a senior mass communications and political science major from Jonesboro, Ark., representing Rho Sigma Men’s Social Club.

• Abby Lindsey, a junior business administration/management major from Van Buren, Ark., representing EEE Women’s Social Club.

• Gracie Lundstrum, a junior mass communications and speech communication major from Springdale, Ark., representing EEE Women’s Social Club 2012 pledge class.

• Shelby Medders, a freshman Christian studies/missions major from Little Rock, Ark., representing Beta Beta Men’s Social Club.

Students serving on the Court of Honor as entertainment during the pageant include: Nicole Mattson, a senior musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas; Molly Salmon, a senior music major from Henderson, Texas; Carli Sasser, a senior choral music education major from Hamburg, Ark; and MaryLacey Thomson, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas.

Stacy Hawking, a sophomore musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., will serve as choreographer for the Court of Honor.

Tickets are $11 each for the general public and $6 each for current Ouachita students with a valid OBU ID. Tickets are available at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office from 1-5 p.m. weekdays or online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, contact the box office during office hours at (870) 245-5555.

By Taylor Tomlinson