When the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant begins tonight, the University of Arkansas will be well represented. Not only is the reigning Miss Arkansas Sloane Roberts a University of Arkansas student, but there are 10 University of Arkansas students competing for the crown. This is the most of any college in Arkansas! These young ladies will compete in Private Interview, Artistic Expression, Lifestyle and Fitness as well as Presence and Poise. Each is hoping to bring home the $20,000 scholarship and over $50,000 in prizes plus the chance to represent the state of Arkansas in the Miss America pageant this September in Atlantic City.

Sloane Roberts, the reigning Miss Arkansas, is a native of Rison. She took the year off from school to travel the state promoting the Children’s Miracle Network, Preventing Child Abduction (her personal platform) and the Miss Arkansas/Miss America Organization. When she returns to campus this fall she will be a senior majoring in communication. She is a member of Chi Omega Fraternity.

The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship provider for young women in the world, awarding over $45 million dollars each year on the local, state and national level.

Other University of Arkansas contestants include:

Miss Lights of the Delta Maggie Benton
Freshman – Music Education
Talent – Vocal “Defying Gravity”
Platform – New Beginnings:  Accepting No Limits
Hometown – Jonesboro

Miss Batesville Mason Magouyrk
Junior – Apparel Studies
Talent – Vocal “Superman”
Platform – Gun Safety
Hometown – Batesville

Miss Spirit of Arkansas Brejamin Perkins
Senior – Broadcast Journalism
Talent – Jazz Dance “Mission Possible”
Platform – Don’t Lessen Expression:  Keep the Arts in Education
Hometown – North Little Rock

Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas Mary Scarlett Sherwood
Sophomore – Accounting and Marketing
Talent – Tap Dance and Vocal “Hound Dog”
Platform – Giving the Gift of L.I.F.E.
Hometown – North Little Rock

Miss Northwest Arkansas Riley Snell
Junior – Early Childhood Education and Music
Talent – Vocal “Via Dolorosa”
Platform – Mentoring Is A Must
Hometown – Jonesboro

Miss University of Arkansas Sarah Elise Gafvert
2012 Honors Graduate – Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
Talent – Vocal “Brave”
Platform – Living With Diabetes:  Promoting Education and Management
Hometown – Fayetteville

Miss Heart of the Ozarks Tracy Neal
Graduate Student – Educational Leadership
Talent – Contemporary Ballet en Pointe “Invincible”
Platform – The Why Behind the What; Bringing Your Vision Into Focus
Hometown – Bryant

Miss Diamond Lakes Amy Crain
2011 Graduate – Communication
Talent – Contemporary Clogging “Game Time”
Platform – Bullying:  Prevention and Recovery
Hometown – Hot Springs

Miss Arkansas River Loren McDaniel
Junior – Drama
Talent – Vocal “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”
Platform – Act On It Arkansas!  HIV / AIDS Awareness
Hometown – Van Buren

Miss Lakes of the Northwest Mikaila Wilson (not pictured)
Senior – Biology
Talent – Jazz Dance “Little Less Conversation”
Platform – American Red Cross:  Youth Can Make a Difference
Hometown – Bentonville