Photo by Michelle Roberts Photography Hair & Makeup by Shawna Hobson
Jones Performing Arts Center
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2023 and Miss Southwest Arkansas 2025, Haley Shourd
“The Other Side”
Miss Ouachita Baptist University Court of Honor and Contestants
Parade of Contestants
Introduction of Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2024, Bailey Gibson Escorted by Ella St. John and Delta Rae Jones, Miss Arkansas Diamonds
Introduction of Miss Arkansas 2024, Camille Cathey
Onstage Conversation Competition
“If I Had My Way”
Miss Arkansas 2024, Camille Cathey
Health and Fitness Competition
Special Vocal Entertainment
Miss Southeast Arkansas 2025, Kensley Flynn
“God Bless America”
Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2024, Bailey Gibson
Talent Competition
INTERMISSION
Introduction of Visiting Royalty and Former Miss Ouachita Baptist University Title Holders
“She Will Be Loved/Someone You Loved”
Miss Ouachita Baptist University Court of Honor
Evening Wear Competition
Farewell
Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2024, Bailey Gibson
“No Tears Left to Cry”
Miss Ouachita Baptist University Court of Honor
Presentation of Awards and Crowning of Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2025
Order of Events
Miss Ouachita Baptist University
Bailey Gibson
MISS OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY 2024
What an incredible year it has been serving as Miss Ouachita Baptist University. Representing a place so dear to my heart has been a deeply rewarding experience. This year, I have had the privilege of following in the footsteps of the 56 remarkable women who have held this title before me. It has been humbling to contribute my chapter to the legacy they have created.
I grew up watching Miss OBU and dreamed about the possibility of gracing the JPAC stage. When I decided to attend Ouachita, I knew that competing in the Miss OBU competition was in my future. Competing as a senior turned out to be the perfect opportunity, as it allowed me to bring together the relationships I had formed and the knowledge I had gained during my time at Ouachita. Representing the Women of Gamma Phi made the experience even more meaningful. I will never forget how special it was to have my social club sisters cheering me on from the audience. My senior year was also ideal for combining my business education with my community service initiative, “Invest in the Future: Financial Literacy.”
My community service initiative was born in Dr. Chris Brune’s Personal Finance class, where I first recognized the importance of financial education. The knowledge I gained in that course inspired me to change my major to finance and fueled my desire to help others build better financial futures. This year, I have had the privilege of sharing financial resources with students, educators and community members. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities provided to me by my professors and the Hickingbotham School of Business. Their support has been instrumental in shaping my community service initiative and enabling me to make a positive impact as Miss OBU.
I have been incredibly blessed to represent Ouachita at numerous events throughout the year, including banquets, fundraisers, TV interviews and award ceremonies. One of my most memorable experiences was competing in the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition. Walking on stage, knowing I was representing my university, filled me with immense pride. Throughout the week, I received several awards, including the Accounting Professions Marketplace Interview Award, the Preliminary On-Stage Conversation Award and the Service Above Self Award. The most unforgettable moment was when my name was announced as one of the Top 15 finalists during the competition’s final night. It felt like a dream come true and was a beautiful reflection of the support I had received along the way.
None of this would have been possible without the help of my director, Sarah Teed, and the Miss OBU Board. Their mentorship and guidance have been invaluable. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to my family and friends. To my parents, thank you for your unwavering love and encouragement and for believing in me every step of the way. You have been my rock, and your support means everything to me.
I will forever thank the Lord for the incredible opportunity to serve as Miss Ouachita Baptist University. This year has been a journey of growth and gratitude. I am thankful for all the experiences that have shaped me. My advice to the next Miss OBU is simple: Embrace every moment, because this year will pass faster than you can imagine. Cherish the relationships you build and the lessons you learn. Use this platform to grow, serve and make a difference in your community. Take time to reflect on your impact on others and the personal growth you will experience. These memories will stay with you for a lifetime. I am beyond grateful for the chance to represent Ouachita, and I look forward to seeing the next woman step in and write her own chapter.
Contestants
Olivia Taylor JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: Benton, AR
MAJOR : Business Administration/Entrepreneurship
SPONSOR: The Women of Chi Mu
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “Invest for Success”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “A Million Dreams”
PARENTS: Andreina Lee and Donald Taylor
Madilyn Davis JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: Perryville, AR
MAJOR : Biology
SPONSOR: Carl Goodson Honors Program
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “STEM Ignition: Empowering Middle and High School Students to Explore the Sciences”
TALENT SELECTION: Piano and Vocal Performance, “Vienna”
PARENTS: Brandon and Rhonda Cook
Diana Taylor
JUNIOR
HOMETOWN: Benton, AR
MAJOR : History and Political Science
SPONSOR: W. H. Sutton School of Social Sciences
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “Beyond the Uniform: Empowering Veterans”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “I’m Not That Girl”
PARENTS: Andreina Lee and Donald Taylor
Ava Weeks
SOPHOMORE
HOMETOWN: Conway, AR
MAJOR : Secondary English Education
SPONSOR: The Women of EEE
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “Buckle Up Back Seat”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “Climb Every Mountain”
PARENTS: Jeff Weeks and April Cook
Kidron Romoser
SOPHOMORE
HOMETOWN: Rogers, AR
MAJOR : Communication Sciences and Disorders
SPONSOR: The Women of Tri Chi
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE: “Voices of Change”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “Monster”
PARENTS: Matthew and Florina Romoser
Amy Garcia FRESHMAN
HOMETOWN: Hamburg, AR
MAJOR : Psychology
SPONSOR: Ouachita Women’s Basketball Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “It’s Okay to Speak Up: A Fight Against Substance Abuse”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “Mariposa de Barrio (Neighborhood Butterfly)”
PARENTS: Pedro Garcia and Marcelina Bedolla
Lydia Crow SOPHOMORE
HOMETOWN: Conway, AR
MAJOR : Business Administration/Entrepreneurship
SPONSOR: Ouachita Tiger Dance Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “Power of Positive Words”
TALENT SELECTION: Jazz Dance, “Smooth Criminal”
PARENTS: Tiffeny and Zac Crow
Avery Smith
SOPHOMORE
HOMETOWN: Conway, AR
MAJOR : Business Administration
SPONSOR: Frank D. Hickingbotham School of Business
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE : “Building Character Through Chores”
TALENT SELECTION: Vocal Performance, “On My Own”
PARENTS: Drs. Scott and Melanie Smith
Contestants
Tiffany Lee Terrell — EMCEE —
Tiffany Lee Terrell is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and has spent the last six years serving Arkansans as an anchor and reporter with CBS affiliate 5News. She helps Arkansans start their day as the weekday anchor for Northwest Arkansas’ Number 1 rated morning newscast, “5 News This Morning.” An Arkansas native, Tiffany has always been passionate about giving back to her home state. She spent four years as a titleholder in the Miss Arkansas Organization, including Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2017. During her four trips to Miss Arkansas, she was awarded multiple scholarships and honors – placing as a top 15 finalist, top 7 finalist, and third runner up – and received the Miss Congeniality award. Tiffany loves spending time serving in preschool ministry at her church, being with friends and family, and traveling with her husband, Branch Terrell. They reside in Springdale.
Judges
Ashlee Allen is the principal broker and owner of Southern Realty Group, serving all of South Arkansas with offices in El Dorado, Camden and Magnolia. A native of Stamps and a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Ashlee combines local expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for connecting clients with their dream properties to elevate real estate services in the region. She is a proud wife to Ryan and mom to Olivia and Grant.
A skilled flutist, Kathryn Barfield began her journey in the Miss America organization representing her hometown as Miss Texarkana’s Outstanding Teen 2012 and Miss Texarkana Twin Rivers 2017, placing as a semifinalist in both competitions. Kathryn is an honors graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and the UAMS College of Pharmacy. In time away from her work as a pharmacist, she loves to travel, needlepoint and volunteer with the Junior League of Little Rock.
Former Miss OBU Jessica Bubbus earned degrees in music and accounting from Ouachita Baptist University. Jess and her husband, Alan, have six boys and live in Little Rock. The couple started David’s Burgers in 2010. Jess’s favorite hobbies are playing golf and shooting videos on her YouTube channel, “EssentiallyJessi.”
Jennifer Cunningham is dean of the Texarkana campus for the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana. She represented Team USA during the 2018 World Championship of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, Calif., and was Mrs. Arkansas International 2023. Jennifer is a proud military wife to Blackhawk pilot Capt. Bryant Cunningham. She’s fascinated with sustainable fashion, TikTok and jasmine tea – but food puns are her SOUPer power.
Ouachita Baptist University alumna Laura Daven has judged Miss Arkansas preliminaries for the past 44 years. She has worked as a youth advisor and mentor for young people helping them further their academic and career development and is an avid sports fan and patron of the arts. Laura and her husband, Tim, live in Little Rock. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Texarkana (Ark.) School District Superintendent Lloyd Jackson earned a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A first-generation college student, he was the first Black director of alumni services at Henderson State University, the first Black executive director of Arkansas American Legion Boys State and the first Black superintendent in the Texarkana metro area. Married to Veronica Jackson, he is on the Miss HSU Pageant board and has been a judge in the Miss America organization for seven years.
Sheardon Pearce, administrative chief of staff at Southwest Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Hope, earned a degree in psychology from Henderson State University. He serves on the boards of the Miss Southwest Arkansas and Miss Ouachita River pageant associations, supporting initiatives that empower young women through scholarship and personal development. An adventurer and culture enthusiast, Sheardon enjoys traveling, exploring cuisines, listening to music, reading and solving puzzles.
1967
Miss Ouachita Baptist University Legacy
SHARON EVANS BALE
1968 HELEN GENNINGS MUSGRAVE
1969 MARIJO BONO
1970 MARJORIE ROYSTON SCRUGGS
1971 CASEY KERR STARKEY
1972 ANNE P. COPPENGER
1973 SUSAN COPPENGER AKIN
1974 JANICE ROGERS BISHOP
1975 BEVERLY FANNING LOFTON
1976 SHERI MCMULLAN SWINDLER
1977 PAULA WOODALL PHELAN
1978 MONA ROWE ROWLAND
1979 JANE CHU
1980 JULIE HENDRIX DODGE
1981 MARCIA RAMIREZ WALDRON
1982 TERRY GRIFFIN PEEPLES
1983 DEANNA BRILEY CABANISS
1984 LISA STEVENS LOCKE
1985 PATTI THORN LUSK
1986 KIM CUNNINGHAM BLANKS
1987 NATALIE ALLEN BUTCHER
1988 MONTIE EDWARDS MAYFIELD
1989 TERESA LANG JONES
1990 MELANIE CICERO JENKINS
1991 CHRISTI FREEL SPEER
1992 APRIL GOSSER COOK
1993 BETH ANNE RANKIN BAKER
1994 JAMIE GILBERT FRAY
1995 ASHLEY ARRINGTON ELLINGTON
1996 MERIDETH ARNN MCCOY
1997 SHARI PAYNE BALES
1998 LISA ADKINS JOHNSON
1999 JENNIFER CRAWLEY MAUNE
2000 LAUREN MCNAIR
2001 ERIN PITTMAN VAUGHN
2002 KRISTEN PORTER JACKSON
2003 JESSICA GARTMAN BUBBUS
2004 LACY FLEMING GLOVER
2005 JENNY PHILLIPS ROGERS
2006 RACHEL FRUCHEY BELL
2007 NICOLE DAYE HORNE
2008 LAUREN ENGLISH
2009 BETHANY WHITFIELD MARSHALL
2010 BETHANY BRISCOE TONEY
2011 KRISTEN GLOVER BELEW
2012 MARYLACEY THOMSON
2013 KYLIE WRIGHT ENGEL
2014 ABBY LINDSEY TOMASSETTI
2015 BROOKE SCHMIDT LEGENS
2016 SUZIE GRESHAM BARHAM
2017 TIFFANY LEE TERRELL
2018 EMMA PITTS GEORGE
2019 JULIE WILLIAMS COLE
2020 CAROLINE DERBY
2021 CAROLINE DERBY
2022 KAELIN CLAY
2023 HALEY SHOURD
2024 BAILEY GIBSON
Ouachita Students Who Won Miss Arkansas
1967 SHARON BALE
1968 HELEN ROSE GENNINGS
1970 DONNA JOE CONNALLY
1978 NAYLENE VUURENS
COURT OF HONOR
Graceanne Morgan
Katelyn Hartsell
Xander Dalton
Sammy Arizaga
Brandon Holloway
Logan Babel
Choreographer/Director, Amaya Hardin
Director, Haley Shourd
1984 LISA STEVENS LOCKE
1988 PATTI THORN LUSK
1994 BETH ANNE RANKIN BAKER
2002 LAUREN DAVIDSON GREENHAW
SPECIAL GUEST
Miss Arkansas Diamonds:
Ella St. John, daughter of Mary and Dr. Greg St. John
Delta Rae Jones, daughter of Macy and Carthel Jones
LIVESTREAM CREW
Dori Bartek
Lily Roddy
Gavin Wallace
2004 LACY FLEMING GLOVER
2010 ALYSE EADY LEMMOND
2011 KRISTEN GLOVER BELEW
JPAC CREW
Olivia Hibbard,
Technical Director/Production Manager
Naomi Bates, Box Office Manager
Braden Bunger
Mady Cherry
Connor Gamboa
Justin McDonald
Zach Webb
Awards
MISS OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVRSITY 2025 WILL RECEIVE:
$1000 Scholarship from Ouachita Baptist University
$1250 Scholarship from Miss OBU Board of Directors
$1500 Matching Cpmpetition Wardrobe from The Royal We, Conway
Flower Bouquet from Mary & Martha’s Florist, Arkadelphia
FIRST RUNNER UP WILL RECEIVE:
Crown Pin from KelZek Fine Jewelry & Gifts, Arkadelphia
Dental Sponsorship from Raines Family Dental, Benton
Gym Membership to A-Town Fitness, Arkadelphia
Official Miss America Sash and Crown
$800 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU 2011 and Miss Arkansas 2011, Kristen Glover Belew
SECOND RUNNER UP WILL RECEIVE:
$400 SCHOLARSHIP
KRISTEN GLOVER BELEW TALENT AWARD
$300 SCHOLARSHIP BY KEITH & MARY GLOVER in honor of Miss OBU 2011 and Miss Arkansas 2011, Kristen Glover Belew
BAILEY GIBSON EVENING WEAR AWARD
$300 SCHOLARSHIP BY JOHN AND MISSY GIBSON in honor of Miss OBU 2024, Bailey Gibson
ON-STAGE CONVERSATION AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP BY SHELLY FENDLEY CRAFT with Lake Hamilton Realty
SUZIE GRESHAM BARHAM ALPHA PRIVATE INTERVIEW AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU 2016, Suzie Gresham Barham
MAC SISSON ALPHA TALENT AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU 2016, Suzie Gresham Barham
ACADEMIC AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP BY SHELLY FENDLEY CRAFT with Lake Hamilton Realty
SPIRIT OF MISS OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY AWARD
$150 SCHOLARSHIP by the Ouachita Student Senate
PHOTOGENIC AWARD
$100 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU Board of Directors in honor of Dr. Wesley Kluck
TIFFANY LEE TERRELL INSPIRATION AWARD
$100 SCHOLARSHIP BY TONY & KELLY LEE in honor of Miss OBU 2017, Tiffany Lee Terrell
MARY SHAMBARGER NON-FINALIST TALENT AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU 1967 and Miss Arkansas 1967, Sharon Evans Bale
RANCHINO-RILEY NON-FINALIST INTERVIEW AWARD
$250 SCHOLARSHIP by Miss OBU 1967 and Miss Arkansas 1967, Sharon Evans Bale
Special Thanks
THE MISS OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY COMPETITION ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
Sharon Evans Bale, Scholarship Donor
Suzie Gresham Barham, Scholarship Donor
Naomi Bates, JPAC Box Office
Tamara Baughn, Thank You Gifts, Miss OBU Board of Directors
Kristen Glover Belew, Scholarship Donor
Meghann Bledsoe and Joshua Rhine, Photographers
Kelli Lancaster Brown, KelZek Fine Jewelry & Gifts
Ashley Carozza, Mallorie Howard, Felley Lawson and James Taylor, Office of Communications & Marketing
Melissa Carozza, Miss OBU Board of Directors
Kristi Clay, Director of Business Services
Jacob Coon, A-Town Fitness, Arkadelphia, Sponsor
Jillian Covington, Chapman Cooper, Ethan Shadwick, Haley Shourd and the Ouachita Student Senate volunteers
Shelly Fendley Craft, Lake Hamilton Realty, Hot Springs, Scholarship Donor
Susan Derby, Miss OBU Campus Liaison
Caroline Derby
Debbie Fleming, Miss Arkansas Field Director
Renee Fronabarger, Miss Arkansas Director of Operations
John & Missy Gibson, Scholarship Donors
Keith & Mary Glover, Scholarship Donors
Lacy Glover, Miss Arkansas Executive Director
David Goodman, Mary & Martha’s Florist and Gifts, Arkadelphia, Sponsor
Olivia Hibbard, JPAC Director, and JPAC Crew
Dr. Wesley Kluck, Headshot Photographer
Tony & Kelly Lee, Scholarship Donors
Leigh Anne McKinney, Miss OBU Board of Directors
Miss Arkansas Competition Board of Directors
Brad Pierce and the Rogers Department of Communications, Livestream
Joe Poye, Fairfield Inn of Arkadelphia, Sponsor
Stephen Raines, Raines Family Dental, Sponsor
Haley Shourd and Amaya Hardin, Court of Honor Directors
Tiffany Lee Terrell, Emcee
Hannah Wright, The Royal We, Conway, Sponsor
Bobby Younger, Hamburger Barn, Arkadelphia, Sponsor of Judges’ Dinner
