Contestants

Among those competing for the title are these contestants from our circulation area and from pageants in our circulation area:

• Apple Blossom — Kelsie Everett, Springdale, a graduate of the University of Arkansas. Her talent is vocal, and her social impact platform is “Building Better Body Image.”

• Arkansas Valley — Katy Beth Dunn of Mountain Home, Ouachita Baptist University; tap dance; “We’ve Got Your Six: Veteran Mental Health Awareness.”

• Johnson County — Tara Ross of Lamar, Arkansas Tech University; flag twirling; “Plus Me, Plus You.”

• Natural State — Abigail Davis of Little Rock, University of Arkansas; piano; “A Better Heart for a Better Life.”

• River Valley — Callie Scherrey of Fort Smith, UAFS; acro-jazz dance; “Empower to Prevent.”

• Ozark Highlands — Kaytlin Dwyer of Springdale, University of Arkansas; Irish dance; “Celebrating Cultures and Empowering Leaders.”

• Diamond Lakes — Brooke Bradford of Shirley, University of Arkansas; ventriloquism; “Planting Seeds: The Importance of Agriculture Education.”

• North Central — Jayson Toney of Fort Smith, UAFS; jazz dance; “Promoting Media Literacy.”

• University of Arkansas — Starling Ledbetter of Fayetteville, UA; vocal; “Aspire to Inspire,” focusing on education targeting civility and social inequalities.

• Northwest Arkansas — McKenzie Gomez of Round Rock, Texas, University of Arkansas; baton twirling; “Mental Health Matters.”

• Texarkana Twin Rivers — Anna Beth Jeane of Greenbrier, University of Arkansas; vocal; “Overcoming Adversity: Encouraging Youth with Medical Challenges.”

• Western Arkansas — Isabella Soto of White Hall, University of Arkansas; lyrical dance; “BEFAST Stroke Awareness.”

• Dogwood — Kennedy Holland of Greenwood, OBU; vocal; “Compassion Legacy.”

• River City — MaKenzie Williams of Benton, Arkansas State University; jazz dance; “H.O.P.E.: Hunger Oppresses People Every Day.”