# Miss Arkansas

The Miss Arkansas competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Arkansas in the Miss America pageant. Arkansas has won the Miss America title three times (1964, 1982, 2017).
Camille Cathey of Wynne was crowned Miss Arkansas 2024 on June 15, 2024, at Robinson Center Auditorium in Little Rock. She will compete for the title of Miss America 2025.

## Gallery of past titleholders

* Eudora Mosby, Miss Arkansas 2005
* Amber Bennett, Miss Arkansas 2006
* Sarah Slocum, Miss Arkansas 2009
* Alyse Eady, Miss Arkansas 2010
* Savvy Shields, Miss Arkansas 2016 and Miss America 2017

## Results summary

The following is a visual summary of the past results of Miss Arkansas titleholders at the national Miss America pageants/competitions. The year in parentheses indicates the year of the national competition during which a placement and/or award was garnered, not the year attached to the contestant's state title.

### Placements

* Miss Americas: Donna Axum (1964), Elizabeth Ward (1982), Savvy Shields (2017)
* 1st runners-up: Rebecca McCall (1946), Frances Anderson (1962), Karen Carlson (1965), Alyse Eady (2011)
* 2nd runners-up: Paula Montgomery (1996), Ashton Campbell (2015)
* 3rd runners-up: Mary Jennings (1951), Charlotte Simmen (1952), Lacy Fleming (2005)
* 4th runners-up: Lencola Sullivan (1981)
* Top 10: Dorris Love (1943), Sally Miller (1959), Donna Connelly (1971), Mary Stuart (1983), Julie Russell (1987), Nicole Bethmann (1994), Erin Wheatley (1999), Brandy Rhodes (2000), Jessie Ward (2001), Eudora Mosby (2006), Cori Keller (2024)
* Top 12: Ashlen Batson (2009)
* Top 15: Barbara Brothers (1949), Sarah Slocum (2010), Amy Crain (2014), Loren McDaniel (2016)
* Top 16: Katie Bailey (2008)

### Awards
#### Preliminary awards

* Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness: Rebecca McCall (1946), Mary Jennings (1951), Charlotte Simmen (1952), Frances Anderson (1962), Donna Axum (1964), Sharon Evans (1968), Paula Roach (1976), Bunnie Holbert (1978), Lencola Sullivan (1981), Elizabeth Ward (1982), Lauren Davidson (2003)
* Preliminary Talent: Barbara Banks (1956), Savvy Shields (2017)

#### Non-finalist awards

* Non-finalist Talent: Marilyn Morgan (1972), Joyce McCormack (1977), Bunnie Holbert (1978), Regina Hopper (1984), Lisa Stevens (1985), Patti Thorn (1989), Beth Anne Rankin (1995)
* Non-finalist Interview: Whitney Kirk (2004)

#### Other awards

* Miss Congeniality: Sharon Evans (1968) (tie), Rhonda Pope (1975) (tie), Sloane Roberts (2013)
* America's Choice: Sarah Slocum (2010)
* Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship: Christi Taunton (1986)
* Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship: Ashton Campbell (2015)
* Quality of Life Award Winners: Claudia Raffo (2019)
* Quality of Life Award Finalists: Kristen Glover (2012)
* STEM Scholarship Award Finalists: Darynne Dahlem (2020)

## Winners

* Declared as winner
* Ended as a runner-up
* Ended as a finalist or semi-finalist
| Year | Name | Hometown | Age | Local Title | Miss America Talent | Placement at Miss America | Special scholarships at Miss America | Notes |
| 2024 | Camille Cathey | Wynne | 22 | Miss White River | Vocal | | | Previously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2018 |
| 2023 | Cori Keller | Stuttgart | 25 | Miss Metro | Tap Dance | Top 11 | | |
| 2022 | Ebony Mitchell | Harrison | 25 | Miss Dogwood | Dance | | | Preliminary Red Carpet, Talent, and On Stage Question Winner at Miss Arkansas 2022 |
| 2021 | Whitney Williams | Conway | 23 | Miss University of Arkansas | Baton Twirling, "Conga" by Miami Sound Machine | | | |
| 2019–20 | Darynne Dahlem | Greenwood | 22 | Miss Apple Blossom | Vocal, "Somewhere" from West Side Story | | STEM Scholarship Award Finalist | |
| 2018 | Claudia Raffo | Jonesboro | 22 | Miss Historic Batesville | Jazz Dance, "That's Life" | | Quality of Life Award | |
| 2017 | Maggie Benton | Jonesboro | 22 | Miss Greater Jonesboro | Vocal, "The Music of the Night" | | | |
| 2016 | Savannah Skidmore | Calico Rock | 21 | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Shields won Miss America 2017 | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Shields won Miss America 2017 | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Shields won Miss America 2017 |
| 2016 | Savannah Skidmore | Calico Rock | 21 | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal | | | Later Miss Arkansas USA 2019 Top 5 at Miss USA 2019 pageant |
| 2016 | Savvy Shields | Fayetteville | 21 | Miss Heart of the Ozarks | Jazz Dance, "They Just Keep Moving the Line" | Winner | Preliminary Talent Award | Previously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2009 |
| 2015 | Loren McDaniel | Van Buren | 22 | Miss Northwest Arkansas | Vocal, "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables | Top 15 | | |
| 2014 | Ashton Campbell | Hindsville | 20 | Miss Ouachita River | Vocal, "Via Dolorosa" | 2nd runner-up | Charles & Theresa Brown Scholarship | |
| 2013 | Amy Crain | Hot Springs | 23 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Contemporary Clogging, "Game Time" | Top 15 | | 4th runner-up at National Sweetheart 2010 pageant |
| 2012 | Sloane Roberts | Rison | 19 | Miss Heart of the Ozarks | A cappella Tap Dance | | Miss Congeniality | Previously Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2008 2nd runner-up at Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2008 pageant |
| 2011 | Kristen Glover | Stuttgart | 22 | Miss Ouachita Baptist University | Tap Dance, "Piano Sonata No. 11" | | Quality of Life Award Finalist | |
| 2010 | Alyse Eady | Fort Smith | 22 | Miss South Central Arkansas | Ventriloquism / Vocal, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" | 1st runner-up | | Previously Miss Teen Arkansas 2004 |
| 2009 | Sarah Slocum | Sheridan | 23 | Miss Ouachita River | Vocal, "The Prayer" | Top 15 | America's Choice | |
| 2008 | Ashlen Batson | Newark | 21 | Miss Spirit of Arkansas | Flute, Medley from Carmen | Top 12 | | |
| 2007 | Katie Bailey | Conway | 25 | Miss South Arkansas | Vocal, "Feeling Good" | Top 16 | | |
| 2006 | Amber Bennett | Carlisle | 23 | Miss Central Arkansas | Vocal, "Come Rain or Come Shine" | | | |
| 2005 | Eudora Mosby | Hazen | 23 | Miss Central Arkansas | Vocal, "Dream In Color" | Top 10 | | |
| 2004 | Lacy Fleming | Hampton | 22 | Miss Ouachita Baptist University | Vocal, "Last Dance" | 3rd runner-up | | |
| 2003 | Whitney Kirk | Cabot | 22 | Miss Three Rivers | Vocal / Dance, "All That Jazz" | | Non-finalist Interview Award | Contestant at National Sweetheart 2000 pageant |
| 2002 | Lauren Davidson | El Dorado | 20 | Miss White River | Vocal, "It's Time" | | Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award | |
| 2001 | Jessie Ward | Prescott | 21 | Miss Texarkana | Tap Dance, Michael Jackson Medley | Top 10 | | Current executive director of the Miss Arkansas organization |
| 2000 | Sara Harris | Forrest City | 20 | Miss Delta | Vocal, "Unchained Melody" | | | |
| 1999 | Brandy Rhodes | Hot Springs | 22 | Miss Lake Dardanelle | Original Tap Dance, "American Rhapsody" | Top 10 | | |
| 1998 | Erin Wheatley | Little Rock | 22 | Miss White River | Vocal / Tap Dance, "I Got Rhythm" | Top 10 | | |
| 1997 | Stacy Freeman | Sheridan | 22 | Miss White River | Tap Dance, "Sing, Sing, Sing" | | | Previously Miss Arkansas Teen USA 1992 |
| 1996 | Melonie McGarrah | Rogers | 22 | Miss White River | Vocal, "I Will Always Love You" | | | |
| 1995 | Paula Montgomery | Cabot | 22 | Miss Greater Little Rock | Vocal, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" | 2nd runner-up | | Previously Miss Arkansas Teen USA 1991 Mother of Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen 2017, Aubrey Reed |
| 1994 | Beth Anne Rankin | Magnolia | 23 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Piano | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1993 | Nicole Bethmann | Rogers | 24 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Vocal, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" | Top 10 | | |
| 1992 | Shannon Boy | Alma | 21 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Flute, Theme from Star Wars | | | |
| 1991 | Heather Hunnicutt | Fayetteville | 22 | Miss Northwest Arkansas | Vocal, "Born To Be Blue" | | | Daughter of Claudette Smith, Miss Arkansas 1960 |
| 1990 | Karissa Rushing | Benton | 24 | Miss White River | Vocal, "With a Song In My Heart" | | | |
| 1989 | Marci Lewallen | Dardanelle | 22 | Miss Arkansas Valley | Vocal / Banjo, "Boogie Woogie Banjo Blues" | | | |
| 1988 | Patti Thorn | Hot Springs | 23 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Vocal, "Love Is Where You Find It" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1987 | Carole Lawson | Paragould | 21 | Miss University of Arkansas | Flute / Piccolo, Medley from Carmen | | | Previously National Sweetheart 1986 |
| 1986 | Julie Russell | Fort Smith | 22 | Miss Lake Dardanelle | Classical Piano with Narration | Top 10 | | |
| 1985 | Christi Taunton | Camden | 20 | Miss Camden | Popular Vocal, "Remembering" | | Dr. David B. Allman Medical Scholarship | |
| 1984 | Lisa Stevens | Arkadelphia | 22 | Miss Ouachita Baptist University | Flute, "Sabre Dance" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1983 | Regina Hopper | Springdale | 24 | Miss Northwest Arkansas | Popular Vocal, "You're Gonna Hear From Me" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | Elected to the Miss America Board of Directors |
| 1982 | Mary Stuart | Little Rock | 20 | Miss White River | Vocal / Broadway Jazz Dance, "The Birth of the Blues" | Top 10 | | Later cast as Frannie Hughes on As the World Turns from 1990 to 1993 |
| 1981 | Micki Petrus | Hazen | | Miss University of Central Arkansas | | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Ward won Miss America 1982 | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Ward won Miss America 1982 | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Ward won Miss America 1982 |
| 1981 | Grace Elizabeth Ward | Russellville | 20 | Miss White River | Vocal, "After You've Gone" | Winner | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | Previously National Sweetheart 1980 Infamously had short-lived affair with President Bill Clinton in 1998 |
| 1980 | Lencola Sullivan | Morrilton | 22 | Miss White River | Blues Vocal, "St. Louis Blues" | 4th runner-up | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | First African-American contestant to place as a runner-up at a Miss America pageant |
| 1979 | Janet Holman | North Little Rock | 22 | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal, "Somewhere" | | | |
| 1978 | Naylene Vuurens | Searcy | 20 | Miss Diamond Lakes | Piano, "Etude in G Minor" | | | |
| 1977 | Bunnie Holbert | Stuttgart | 20 | Miss White River | Vocal, "Feelings" | | Non-finalist Talent Award Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1976 | Joyce McCormack | Little Rock | 21 | Miss White River | Ballet en Pointe, "Polonaise" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1975 | Paula Roach | Jonesboro | 20 | Miss Jonesboro | Piano, Theme from Summer of '42 | | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1974 | Rhonda Pope | Hot Springs | 21 | Miss Hot Springs | Vocal Medley, "Friends" & "With a Little Help from My Friends" | | Miss Congeniality (tie) | |
| 1973 | Becky Hume | Jonesboro | 23 | Miss Osceola | Free Floor Exercise & Balance Beam Routine | | | |
| 1972 | Debbye Hazelwood | Magnolia | 20 | Miss Southern State College | Piano, Warsaw Concerto | | | |
| 1971 | Marilyn Morgan | Clarksville | 20 | Miss Clarksville | Popular Vocal, "Something" | | Non-finalist Talent Award | |
| 1970 | Donna Connelly | Hope | 19 | Miss State College of Arkansas | Vocal Medley, "Who Will Buy" from Oliver! & "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing" | Top 10 | | |
| 1969 | Marilyn Allen | North Little Rock | 20 | Miss North Little Rock | Acrobatic Ballet, Theme from Exodus | | | |
| 1968 | Helen Gennings | Batesville | 20 | Miss Ouachita Baptist University | Popular Vocal, "What the World Needs Now Is Love" & "Love Makes the World Go Round" | | | |
| 1967 | Sharon Evans | North Little Rock | 20 | Miss Ouachita Baptist University | Vocal / Dance, "Mame" from Mame | | Miss Congeniality (tie) Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1966 | Mary Craig | Batesville | 18 | Miss Batesville | Vocal / Dancing | | | |
| 1965 | Nita Vanhook | Newport | 20 | Miss Newport | | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Oglesby resigned | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Oglesby resigned | Did not compete; originally second runner-up, later assumed the title after Oglesby resigned |
| 1965 | Rhonda Oglesby | Pine Bluff | 19 | Miss University of Arkansas | Popular Vocal | | | Resigned after holding the title for three months |
| 1964 | Karen Carlson | Fayetteville | 20 | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal, "As Long As He Needs Me" from Oliver! | 1st runner-up | | Ex-wife of David Soul |
| 1963 | Pam Jackson | North Little Rock | | Miss North Little Rock | | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Axum won Miss America 1964 | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Axum won Miss America 1964 | Did not compete; originally first runner-up, later assumed the title after Axum won Miss America 1964 |
| 1963 | Donna Axum | El Dorado | 21 | Miss El Dorado | Vocal Medley, "Quando me'n vo'" & "I Love Paris" | Winner | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1962 | Edye Addington | Texarkana | 19 | Miss Arkansas State Teachers' College | Vocal Medley, "When I Fall In Love" & "This Can't Be Love" | | | |
| 1961 | Frances Anderson | Pine Bluff | 19 | Miss Pine Bluff | Vocal, "I Enjoy Being a Girl" | 1st runner-up | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1960 | Claudette Smith | Star City | 18 | Miss Pine Bluff | Vocal | | | Mother of Heather Hunnicut, Miss Arkansas 1991 |
| 1959 | Suzanne Jackson | North Little Rock | 19 | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal Medley from The King and I | | | |
| 1958 | Sally Miller | Pine Bluff | | Miss Pine Bluff | Classical Vocal, "Caro Nome" from Rigoletto | Top 10 | | |
| 1957 | Suzanne Scudder | Hot Springs | | Miss University of Arkansas | Vocal | | | |
| 1956 | Barbara Banks | Little Rock | | | Interpretive Ballet, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue | | Preliminary Talent Award | |
| 1955 | Charlene Bowers | Helena | | | Vocal, "I Want To Be Evil" | | | |
| 1954 | Sarah Martin | Little Rock | | | Classical Vocal | | | |
| 1953 | Helen Reed | Fayetteville | | | Tap Dance | | | |
| 1952 | Bonnie Nicksic | Hot Springs | | | Vocal / Dance, "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" from Show Boat | | | |
| 1951 | Charlotte Simmen | Little Rock | | | Vocal & Art Exhibition | 3rd runner-up | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1950 | Mary Jennings | Hot Springs | | | Classical Vocal, "Un Bel Di" from Madame Butterfly | 3rd runner-up | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | Was a featured soprano with the New York City Opera Judged the Miss America 1989 and 1991 pageants |
| 1949 | Barbara Brothers | Little Rock | | | Painting Display & Poetry Recitation, "Old Black Joe" & "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy" | Top 15 | | |
| 1948 | Van Louis McDaniel | Forrest City | | | Monologue, "Spartan Parents" | | | |
| 1947 | Pam Camp | Little Rock | | | Sketching | | | |
| 1946 | Rebecca McCall | Blytheville | | | Vocal, "Put the Blame on Mame" | 1st runner-up | Preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness Award | |
| 1945 | Leslie Hampton | Lake Village | | | Vocal, "My Man" | | | |
| 1944 | Mineola Graham | Brinkley | | | | | | |
| 1943 | Dorris Love | Jonesboro | | | Dramatic Reading, "Letter to a Soldier" | Top 10 | | |
| 1942 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1941 | Ferol Amelia Dumas | Magnolia | | | | | | |
| 1940 | Betty Benson | Forrest City | | | | | | |
| 1939 | Jean Thompson | Helena | | | | | | |
| 1938 | Lorene Bailey | Jonesboro | | | Piano, "Dinah" | | | |
| 1937 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1936 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1935 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1934 | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held |
| 1933 | Vivian Ferguson | | 20 | | | N/A | N/A | Disqualified for being married |
| 1932 | Nina Ruth Hudson | Harrison | 14 | | | No national pageant was held | No national pageant was held | |
| 1931 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1930 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1929 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1928 | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held | No national pageants were held |
| 1927 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1926 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1925 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1924 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1923 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1922 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |
| 1921 | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant | No Arkansas representative at Miss America pageant |

### Notes

* ↑ Titleholder extended to a second full year in 2020 after state and national pageants postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic