LITTLE ROCK — Several young women with ties to the Tri-Lakes Edition coverage area were among the award-winners in the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant, held June 13-17 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
Miss Greater Jonesboro Maggie Benton won the title of Miss Arkansas. More than $172,000 in scholarships was awarded to various contestants in the pageant.
Award-winners in the Tri-Lakes Edition area as follows:
• Miss Metro Kenzie Williams of Benton was announced June 17 during the night of final competition as one of five semifinalists finishing 6-10 and listed in random order. She received a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Jones and Son Fine Jewelry. Williams is the 19-year-old daughter of Jacqueline Williams and Gary Maroun of Benton and a media communications major at Arkansas State University. For her talent in the pageant, she performed a tap dance to “Boogie Wonderland.” Her platform is Food Insecurity: H.O.P.E.
• Miss Spirit of Arkansas Jessica Miller of Bryant was also announced as one of five semifinalists finishing 6-10 and listed in random order, receiving a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Jones and Son Fine Jewelry. She also received the Loren McDaniel
“Confidently You” Scholarship, a $500 scholarship given by Melissa and Kevin McDaniel to two alpha (first-time) contestants based on platform. Miller is the 18-year-old daughter of Scott and Dodi Miller of Mabelvale and a recent graduate of Bryant High School. For her talent, she presented a tap dance to “Pump It.” Her platform is SAVE — Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
• Miss South Central Arkansas Mady Rottinghaus of Hot Springs was announced among those finishing 11-15 in random order, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Fund. Rottinghaus is the 17-year-old daughter of Michael and Amber Rottinghaus of Hot Springs and a biology major at Ouachita Baptist University. For her talent, she presented a piano rendition of “An American Tribute.” Her platform is See the Good: Appreciating Diversity.
• Miss Henderson State University Olivia Moore of Gurdon won the Dreamer Scholarship, a $250 scholarship presented by Simone and Chris Sellstrom; the Miss America State Scholar Award, a $1,000 scholarship given by the Miss America Foundation; and the Bringing Beauty to Life Award, judged by an independent marketing agency and given to a contestant who most effectively markets the EcoTools brand on social media, a $1,000 scholarship given by Paris Presents. Moore is the 19-year-old daughter of Patricia and Robert Moore of Gurdon and a biology major at Henderson. For her talent, she sang “Stone Cold.” Her platform is Reach a Reader.
• Miss Ouachita Baptist University Tiffany Lee of Benton won the Shannon Albright Congeniality Award, a $650 scholarship presented by June and Leland Felix, Rena Albright Verucchi and Ryan Albright; the Studio by Lauren Nonfinalist Dance Award, a $500 scholarship given by Lauren and Jacob Wood; and the Delta Dental Smile Award, a $1,000 scholarship given by Delta Dental. Lee is the 20-year-old daughter of Tony and Kelly Lee of Benton and a mass communications major at Ouachita. For her talent, she performed a tap dance to “A Little Party.” Her platform is Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy.
• Miss Johnson County Emma Pitts of Clarksville won the Nonfinalist Vocal Award, a $250 scholarship given by Brad and Zach Stout; the RockStar Performance Award, given to a contestant with a performance that is moving, memorable, entertaining or passionate but does not necessarily have to be the highest-
scoring performance, a $1,000 scholarship given by RockStar Passes; a tie for a Preliminary Artistic Expression in Talent Award on June 14, a $2,000 scholarship donated by Stacey Utley; and the Savvy Shields Alpha Award in Talent for first-time contestants on June 14, a $5,000 scholarship given by the Miss America Homecoming Celebration Committee. Pitts is the 19-year-old daughter of Jeremy Pitts and Rebecca Pitts of Clarksville and Batesville and a music-education major at Ouachita. For her talent, she sang “Gimme Gimme.” Her platform is Inspiring Creativity Through Arts Education.
• Miss Southwest Arkansas Suzie Gresham of Hope received the Social Media Promotions Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship
given by the Miss Arkansas Pageant. Gresham is the 23-year-old daughter of Ben and Jamie Pafford-Gresham of Warren and a business administration major at OBU. For her talent, she performed a jazz dance to “Woman’s World.” Her platform is First Aid First: Don’t Wait — Initiate.