In Arkansas, the draw of pageantry runs deep. And it’s easy to find volunteers and sponsors to support the Miss Arkansas organization in its efforts to provide the very best scholarships and overall opportunity for titleholders and contestants alike. With a thirteen-member board and a separate foundation to manage scholarships, Executive Director Jessie Bennett notes that from locals to state competitions, there’s nothing like the Arkansas experience.

The Arkansas board runs the organization like a well-oiled machine, and it’s greatest strength—providing opportunities for contestants to achieve their educational goals—is also its biggest challenge. Like other state scholarship organizations, “we always want to provide more scholarships for our contestants,” Jessie said. The organization also wants to give its titleholders a top-notch experience, one they’ll remember for a lifetime. To do so, it’s banishing the misconception that it takes excessive money or training from specific people to win the title. Instead, Jessie emphasizes the importance of character.

“Being a part of this incredible program simply requires that you be your best you.”

Current titleholder Sloane Roberts says the organization is on the right track for providing young women the opportunity to learn and grow into well-rounded individuals who are ready for the real world.

“It’s given me a platform that I never could’ve attained by myself. It’s blessed me with the opportunity to share the love of Christ, and speak life and truth into my generation and younger children,” Sloane says. “Through this title, I’ve been able to stand in front of crowds of people that I never imagined I’d even see. It’s allowed me to do something that everyone aspires to do, which is be a part of something bigger than themselves.”

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Written by: Erika Fifelski, fourpoints staff writer.