Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University will host the 50^th anniversary Miss Ouachita Baptist University Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. Eight contestants will compete for the 2017 Miss OBU crown. Tickets are $12 each at the door.

The pageant is sponsored by Ouachita’s Student Senate and directed by alumna Becky Hartsfield. The winner of Miss OBU will compete in the Miss Arkansas Pageant and receive a $1,000 scholarship and other prizes.

“Ouachita is such a unique experience. It is truly a place where everyone knows your name, including the professors. Education is individualized, and professors take a special interest in each student. The same experience applies to Miss OBU,” Hartsfield said. “Each representative has the opportunity to impact other students and faculty members as well as the community with their leadership and service opportunities.”

The students competing include: Maggie Donnell, a freshman psychology and social justice major from Rogers, Ark.; Lauren Ford, a junior political science major from Cabot, Ark.; McKenzie Gosser, a sophomore business administration/marketing major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Mariah Gough, a senior biology and kinesiology and leisure studies major from El Dorado, Ark.; Alexandra Lawson, a senior accounting major from Texarkana, Texas; Tiffany Lee, a sophomore mass communications major from Benton, Ark.; Baylee McBride, a sophomore kinesiology and leisure studies major from Hooks, Texas; and Danielle Osborne, a sophomore Christian studies/Christian ministries and Biblical studies major from Jonesboro, Ark. The women will be judged in talent, evening wear, onstage question, private interview and fitness categories.

The pageant will celebrate Miss OBU 2016 Suzie Gresham’s year of service and feature the 2016 Miss Arkansas winner, Savannah Skidmore.

“Although I got to travel and speak on my platform, meet some of the brightest young ladies in Arkansas, and even step out of my comfort zone and perform, nothing compares to the fact that I was able to represent Ouachita Baptist University this past year,” Gresham said. “As of right now, only 49 other women can say that they had the same opportunity. It’s a sad time to give up my crown but I’m excited for whoever Miss OBU 2017 will be.”

Each woman competing has a platform and will raise money for Children’s Miracle Network. The winner will volunteer in numerous activities and organizations that will impact the community of Arkadelphia and the state of Arkansas.

“Miss Ouachita Baptist University represents the university and our community in local and state-wide events as she travels to promote her platform,” said Ashlee Giles, Miss OBU campus advisor and director of enrollment initiatives. “Local schools have welcomed Miss OBU into their classrooms and auditoriums year after year, and we are so thankful for their support.”

Additional entertainment during the pageant will be provided by the Court of Honor, which will include: Alexis Morgan, a senior choral music education major from Frisco, Texas; Libby Villegas, a sophomore music business major from Wylie, Texas; Kayla Walker, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.; and Emily Weeden, a senior worship arts major from Rogers, Ark. Stephen Curry, an Ouachita admissions counselor, serves as their musical director, and Abby Root, a senior education and speech/theatre arts major from Arkadelphia, Ark., serves as choreographer.

In honor of the 50^th anniversary of the pageant, former Miss Ouachita Baptist University titleholders will be recognized, and the Court of Honor will perform the song, “God and My Girlfriends,” which was co-written by former Miss OBU Marcia Ramirez and recently recorded by Reba McEntire.

Tickets for the pageant are $12 each for the general public and $7 each for current Ouachita students with a valid student ID. Tickets are available for purchase at the door of the event. For more information, contact Ashlee Giles at [email protected] or (870) 245-5200.

 

By Sarah Davis
February 1, 2017