While many students are relaxing throughout the summer, Miss Arkansas Tech Claire Hodgson is hard at work preparing to represent Tech at the Miss Arkansas pageant in Hot Springs later this summer.
Hodgson says she has been meeting with various individuals to critique her interview, her vocal presentation and her onstage presence. Hodgson says her director, Dr. Jim Collins, has played a key role in helping her prepare.
“Dr. Collins has been extremely helpful in getting me ready for Miss Arkansas. I can honestly say that he is the biggest asset any Miss Tech will ever have,” said Hodgson. “I’ve been extremely blessed to have funds from the Miss Tech Scholarship program allotted towards purchasing my evening gowns and other major expenses.”
Hodgson says she is looking forward to the talent portion of the competition.
“My favorite part of competing in pageants is the talent portion. It’s a challenging experience, but I love how I can lose myself in the music for those 90 seconds. It’s therapeutic!” added Hodgson.
The interview portion is what Hodgson says is the most challenging phase of competition.
“Those 10 minutes with the judges are arguably the most crucial moments of the whole competition, and when it’s all said and done feels like an incredibly short amount of time to convince someone you should have the job of Miss Arkansas,” explains Hodgson.
In addition to preparing for the competition, Hodgson has also been active in promoting her platform of leadership, which is focused on “encouraging young people to step up and get involved in their communities, helping out in whatever area they’re most passionate about.”
“My platform can take on many forms. I encourage young people to think about what impact they could be making and then to challenge themselves to fulfill it, forgetting fears about peer criticism or self-doubt,” said Hodgson. “Social expectations might be low for teenagers and young adults, but we’re all extremely valuable assets to the community and can make a huge difference. I promote this message when I speak to civic groups, encouraging older adults to help create an empowering environment for young people, and also when I speak to younger age groups at schools and clubs. “
Hodgson says she is excited about competing and hopes to represent Arkansas Tech well at the pageant.
“Being Miss Tech has been an extremely rewarding experience. I’m so proud to represent and serve my school and love promoting our campus throughout the state,” said Hodgson. “I take my title seriously and treat it as I would any other job, working hard to be the best ambassador and activist I can be for Arkansas Tech!”
Preliminary competition for the Miss Arkansas pageant begins Wednesday, July 11 at Summit Arena in Hot Springs.
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