Ouachita Stories

Abby Lindsey, a junior business administration/management major from Van Buren, Ark., was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2014 on March 1 at Jones Performing Arts Center. Lindsey will represent Ouachita in the 2014 Miss Arkansas Pageant this summer.

“I wanted to compete in Miss OBU for the opportunity to represent my university and fellow students, implement the Ouachita difference and hopefully win scholarship money,” said Lindsey, who represented EEE women’s social club in the pageant. “I was absolutely thrilled, honored and humbled to win, and I am so excited to be going to Miss Arkansas this summer.”

Along with being crowned Miss OBU, Lindsey received a $1,000 scholarship from the university as well as wardrobe, photography and other stipends from businesses that supported the event. She also was awarded the Kristen Glover Private Interview Award and the Kiley Jane Wright Artistic Expression in Talent Award.

Lindsey is the daughter of Kenny and Sherri Lindsey of Van Buren, Ark. She has been a member of EEE women’s social club for three years and served as president of Gridiron Girls and junior class vice president for Student Senate. Raising awareness of dangers online, Lindsey’s platform is social network safety.

“Miss OBU gives girls an avenue to get involved, challenge themselves, make a difference through the platforms we choose and, of course, have the chance to compete for the title of one of the most prestigious universities in Arkansas,” said Lindsey. “In addition to the rich history of Ouachita, the Miss OBU pageant is successful in its own way, producing several Miss Arkansas winners and a few lucky girls who have been named runners-up at Miss America. To say I'm thankful to be a part of this history is an understatement.”

In addition to Lindsey, 11 other contestants competed in this year’s pageant. First runner-up and winner of the Bethany Briscoe Toney Presence and Poise in Evening Wear Award, the MaryLacey Thomson Alpha Award and the Academic Award was Kelsi Bodine, a senior history major from Webb City, Mo. Second runner-up was Abbey Little, a freshman mass communications major from Pearcy, Ark. Third runner-up and winner of the Bethany Whitfield Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit Award was Shelby Medders, a freshman Christian studies/missions major from Little Rock, Ark. Fourth runner-up and Miss Congeniality was Gracie Lundstrum, a junior mass communications and speech communication major from Springdale, Ark.

Bethany Arredondo, a sophomore mass communications and speech communication major from Prosper, Texas, was awarded the Spirit of Miss Ouachita Baptist University Award. Morgan Brothers, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Collierville, Tenn., was awarded People’s Choice. Ashley Bundy, a senior vocal performance major from Justin, Texas, was awarded the Mac Sisson Alpha Talent Award and the Inner and Outer Beauty Award, and Mariah Gough, a freshman pre-medicine major from Calion, Ark., was awarded Most Photogenic.

Also competing in this year’s pageant were Kathryn Barfield, a sophomore pre-medicine major from New Boston, Texas, and Bekah Hall, a senior mass communications and political science major from Jonesboro, Ark.

Former Miss OBU and Miss Arkansas 2004 Lacy Glover served as emcee for the pageant. Guests presenting entertainment during the event included both of Miss OBU’s Diamond State Princesses, Chloe Hargis and Abigail Davis; Miss OBU 2013 Kylie Wright and her sister Lindsey Wright, a 2009 OBU alumna; Miss OBU 2009 Bethany Whitfield and reigning Miss Frisco Springs Cortnie Devore; reigning Miss Louisiana Jaden Leach; and reigning Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Brighton Barnard.

Also providing entertainment throughout the pageant was this year’s Court of Honor, featuring 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., served as choreographer for the Court of Honor.

The pageant was directed by OBU alumnus Justin Harper and hosted by Ouachita’s Student Senate and Office of Campus Activities. Ouachita alumnae, business professionals and pageant directors from the surrounding region served as judges for the event.

For more information, contact Ouachita’s Office of Campus Activities at (870) 245-5597.

By Taylor Tomlinson