Who Will Wear the 2019 Miss Tech Crown?

Thirteen students have registered as contestants in the 64th annual Miss Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Pageant.

The pageant will be on Friday, Feb. 15, at Witherspoon Auditorium. It will begin at 7 p.m.

Admission will be $8 for adults, $5 for minors and free with a current and valid Arkansas Tech identification card.

Miss Arkansas 2018 Claudia Raffo of Jonesboro and Miss Arkansas Tech 2018 Madison Oswalt of Harrison (photographed) will provide special entertainment.

The Miss Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Pageant is sponsored by the ladies of Delta Zeta. This year’s event will mark Delta Zeta’s 20th anniversary as pageant sponsor.

Dr. Jim Collins is in his 19th year as pageant executive director and master of ceremonies.

The Miss Tech Pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss America Pageant, and the winner will compete in the 2019 Miss Arkansas Pageant.

Contestants in the Miss Arkansas Tech University Scholarship Pageant 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 $23,000 in gifts and scholarships will be awarded during the pageant.

The 13 contestants for the 64th Miss Tech title, listed in the order in which they will compete, are:

Abigail Bankston
Parents: Robin Browning and Stacey Bankston
Hometown: White Hall
Talent: Jazz Dance
Platform: Awareness of Depression and Anxiety – The Depressing Truth
Sponsor: Alpha Sigma Tau

Shaneequah Watkins
Parents: Khadijah and Darryl Watkins
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Talent: Spoken Word
Platform: Inclusiveness in Community – Volunteerism
Sponsor: Friends and Family

Meredith Harrison
Parents: Randalyn Sutterfield and John Harrison
Hometown: Hot Springs
Talent: Dance
Platform: Living Life to the Fullest with Diabetes
Sponsor: Alpha Sigma Tau

Haley Milam
Parents: Melinda and Randy Milam
Hometown: Alma
Talent: Poetry
Platform: Suicide Awareness
Sponsor: Alpha Sigma Tau

Payton Palazzi
Parents: Angie Hudson and Mark Palazzi
Hometown: Rison
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Get Active and Be Healthy
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha

Rebecca Ward
Parents: Rev. Marci and Billy Ward
Hometown: Clarksville
Talent: Vocal – “Amazing Grace”
Platform: The Power of One
Sponsor: BMW Electric

Anna Adams-King
Parents: Audrey and Bruce King and Bernadette and Chris Adams
Hometown: Fort Smith
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Mentoring Makes the Difference
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha

Kara Dickens
Parents: Gail and Rodney Dickens
Hometown: Cedarville
Talent: Lyrical American Sign Language – “Broken Vessels”
Platform: Let’s Role – The Power of a Positive Role Model
Sponsor: Jim White Realty

Paden Cook
Parents: Jeanna and Bobby Cook
Hometown: Lamar
Talent: Piano/Vocal: “Love on the Brain”
Platform: The Magic of Mentoring
Sponsor: Sigma Alpha

Makayla King
Parents: Cristy and Lynn King
Hometown: Conway
Talent: Jazz Dance
Platform: HOPE – Hold On, Pain Ends
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha

Darby Dunn
Parents: Brigette and Tripp Dunn
Hometown: Hot Springs
Talent: Dance
Platform: Be Kind and Volunteer
Sponsor: ATU Spirit Squads

Lauren Brown
Parents: Vicki and James Brown
Hometown: Harrison
Talent: Dance
Platform: B.I.G. Smiles
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha

Halie Eastham
Parents: Charlotte and Michael Eastham
Hometown: Cabot
Talent: Jazz Dance – “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”
Platform: Think Pink – Breast Cancer Education and Awareness
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha and Premier Designs Jewelry