Twelve students have registered as candidates in the 65th annual Miss Arkansas Tech University competition.
The event will take place Friday, Feb. 7, at Witherspoon Auditorium. It will begin at 7 p.m.
The 12 candidates for the 65th Miss Tech title, listed in the order in which they will compete, are:
Gracey Cantrell
Parents: Samantha and Jason Cantrell
Hometown: Amity
Talent: Jazz Dance – “Tribe”
Social Impact Initiative: “Don’t Risk It, Just Click It”
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha and Parents
Emily Lisenbey
Parents: Jennifer and Stacy Lisenbey
Hometown: Plainview
Talent: Vocal
Social Impact Initiative: “Smiles for Seniors”
Sponsor: ATU Student Government Association
Rebecca Ward
Parents: Rev. Marci and Billy Ward
Hometown: Clarksville
Talent: Vocal
Social Impact Initiative: “The Power of One”
Sponsor: BMW Electric
Jessica Woodard
Parents: Harlena Woodard and Michael Isaac
Hometown: West Memphis
Talent: Poetry
Social Impact Initiative: Stop Underrating Bullying
Sponsor: S&T Credit Repair and The Tax Clinic
Laryssa Myers
Parents: Robyn and Mike Myers
Hometown: Castle Pines, Colo.
Talent: Monologue
Social Impact Initiative: Mental Health Education
ponsor: ATU Volleyball Players and Chi Alpha
RitaClaire Jones
Parents: Anna and Scott Jones
Hometown: Rogers
Talent: Vocal – “Clouds”
Social Impact Initiative: “Keep the World Clean”
Sponsor: Phi Mu
Lyn’Daija DeHorney
Parent: Donna Stewart
Hometown: Eudora
Talent: Vocal
Social Impact Initiative: Child Abuse and Neglect
Sponsor: Donna Stewart
Aliyah Ann Anderson
Parents: Shanda Anderson (mother) and Phyllis Anderson (grandmother)
Hometown: Ashdown
Talent: Poetry – “Three Minutes and a Trash Bag”
Social Impact Initiative: “The Foster Care System: Assisting in Creating Opportunities and Families”
Sponsor: Shelter Insurance
Sophe Sligh
Parents: Jan and Bryan Sligh
Hometown: Hot Springs
Talent: Violin
Social Impact Initiative: “Live Smart for a Healthy Heart”
Sponsor: ATU Student Nurses Association, Friends and Family
Kathryn Jones
Parents: Kim and Scott Jones
Hometown: Batesville
Talent: Piano and Vocal
Social Impact Initiative: “See the Unseen: Invisible Disabilities Awareness”
Sponsor: Equestrian Zone
Katie Jo McHale
Parents: The late Becky Orr and the late Jim McHale/Mary Jo Davis (grandmother)
Hometown: Clinton
Talent: Clogging Dance
Social Impact Initiative: “Think Before You Drink: Alcohol Abuse Awareness”
Sponsor: Arkansas Building Services and Formal Affairs
Olivia Battles
Parents: Leslie and Marcus Battles
Hometown: Ozark
Talent: Vocal
Social Impact Initiative: “B-Utiful”
Sponsor: Parents
Admission will be $8 for adults, $5 for minors and free with a current and valid Arkansas Tech identification card.
Miss Arkansas 2019 Darynne Dahlem of Greenwood and Miss Arkansas Tech 2019 Kara Dickens of Cedarville will provide special entertainment.
The Miss Arkansas Tech University competition is sponsored by the ladies of Delta Zeta. This year’s event will mark Delta Zeta’s 21st anniversary as sponsor.
Dr. Jim Collins is in his 20th year as Miss Tech executive director and master of ceremonies.
The Miss Arkansas Tech University competition is an official preliminary to Miss America, and the winner will compete in the 2020 Miss Arkansas competition.
Candidates in the Miss Arkansas Tech University competition must be U.S. citizens and full-time female Tech students between the ages of 17 and 25.
The new Miss Tech will receive a two-semester tuition scholarship at Arkansas Tech. In all, more than $25,000 in gifts and scholarships will be awarded during the competition.
