Who Will Wear the Miss Tech Crown in 2025?

Miss Tech Contestants 2025
Photographed: (top row, left-to-right) Lilian Bolin, Taryn Kimberlin, Vivica Smith, Kenleigh Garner, Savannah Brown; (bottom row, left-to-right) Damaris Castaneda, Savannah Grana Rodriguez, Sophie Puckett and Jazmine Houston.

Nine students have registered as contestants in the 69th Miss Arkansas Tech University scholarship pageant.

The event will take place Friday, Feb. 7, 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 2024 Camille Cathey of Wynne and Miss Arkansas Tech 2024 Kate Manuel of Green Forest will provide special entertainment.

The Miss Arkansas Tech University pageant is an official preliminary to Miss America, and the winner will compete in the 2025 Miss Arkansas pageant in Little Rock.

The new Miss Tech will receive a two-semester tuition scholarship at Arkansas Tech. In all, approximately $20,000 in gifts and scholarships will be awarded during the pageant.

The Miss Arkansas Tech University pageant is sponsored by the ladies of Delta Zeta.

Dr. Jim Collins, ATU professor emeritus of agriculture, is the Miss Arkansas Tech University executive director and master of ceremonies.

The nine contestants for the 69th Miss Tech title, listed in the order in which they will compete, are:

Lilian Bolin
Parents: Trisha and Brandon Smith
Hometown: Plainview
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Thrive Together-Promoting Mental Health Awareness and Support
Sponsor: Deelightful Photography

Taryn Kimberlin
Parents: Blair and Alan Kimberlin
Hometown: Omaha
Talent: Spoken Word – “Beyond the Mirror”
Platform: American Heart Association
Sponsor: Joyfor Creations

Vivica Smith
Parents: Veronica Parten and Nicholas Smith
Hometown: Imboden
Talent: Sign Language Interpretation – “Scars to Your Beautiful”
Platform: Make Your Voice Visible
Sponsor: NEA Interpreting Agency

Kenleigh Garner
Parents: Chris and Carey Garner
Hometown: Hot Springs
Talent: Contemporary Dance – “Unsteady”
Platform: Empowering Voices for All
Sponsors: RIDE, Garner Family, Phi Mu, Christy and Tres Jackson

Savannah Brown
Parents: Marche and Chris Brown
Hometown: Rison
Talent: Vocal – “How Great Thou Art”
Platform: Early Detection Saves Lives-Breast Cancer Education
Sponsor: RNR Boutique

Damaris Castaneda
Parents: Maria Canales and Jose Castaneda
Hometown: Clarksville
Talent: Instrumental – “Jailhouse Rock”
Platform: Turning Up the Volume-Advocating for Hearing Health
Sponsor: Delta Zeta

Savannah Grana Rodriguez
Parents: Sherry and Ricardo Grana Rodriguez
Hometown: Springdale
Talent: Dance – “Vogue”
Platform: Paws Together
Sponsor: ATU LeMoyne Smith School of Business

Sophie Puckett
Parents: Laura and Bob Puckett
Hometown: Jonesboro
Talent: Tap Dance – “Blue Suede Shoes”
Platform: Helping Other People Every Day
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha

Jazmine Houston
Parents: Eva and Darrell Houston
Hometown: Plainview
Talent: Vocal – “There are Worse Things I Could Do”
Platform: Defy the Odds
Sponsor: Danny’s Tire and Auto