Miss Greater Hot Springs among award winners at pageant

LITTLE ROCK — Miss Greater Hot Springs Tiffany Lee was among the award winners Saturday during the final night of the Miss Arkansas Pageant at the Robinson Center.

Lee was among contestants finishing 11-15 in random order, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by the Miss Arkansas Pageant.

Lee was also the recipient of the Mary Jane Mullins Non-Finalist Interview Award, in the amount of $500 and provided by Dr. Patti Mullins.

She previously received the Healthy Lifestyle Platform Award, a scholarship in the amount of $500 and provided by Sharon Turrentine.

Miss Historic Batesville Claudia Raffo won the title of Miss Arkansas during the 81st Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant.

Raffo won a $30,000 scholarship provided by Ted and Shannon Boy Skokos, Citgo and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation and more than $75,000 in awards, wardrobe, transportation, and gifts.

She will represent Arkansas at the 2019 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City and will make appearances across the Natural State promoting the Children’s Miracle Network, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, her personal platform of “New Life Saves Life: Umbilical Cord Donation” and speaking in support of the goals of the Miss Arkansas and Miss America system.

Raffo was crowned by the outgoing Miss Arkansas, Maggie Benton, of Jonesboro.

Over $195,000 in scholarships were awarded throughout the week to various contestants.

The other Top Five Finalists were first runner-up, receiving a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Dr. Rhys Branman, Miss Diamond Lakes Laura Leigh Turner; second runner-up, receiving a $8,000 scholarship sponsored by the Former Miss Arkansas Association, Miss Northwest Arkansas Darynne Dahlem; third runner-up, receiving a $6,000 scholarship sponsored by Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation, Miss White River Gracie Stover; and fourth runner-up, receiving at $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Don and Robin Houseworth, Miss Natural State Kelsey Stone.