Eleven students have registered as contestants in the 70th Miss Arkansas Tech University scholarship pageant.
The event will take place Friday, Feb. 6, at Witherspoon Auditorium, 407 West Q Street on the ATU campus in Russellville. 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.
Dr. Jim Collins, ATU professor emeritus of horticulture, and Haven Brock LaCour, Miss Tech 2015, will serve as co-masters of ceremonies.
Miss Arkansas 2025 Kennedy Holland of Greenwood and Miss Arkansas Tech 2025 Sophie Puckett of Jonesboro will be part of the program.
The Miss Arkansas Tech University pageant is an official preliminary to Miss America, and the winner will compete in the 2026 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 scholarship pageant is sponsored by the ladies of Delta Zeta.
The 11 contestants for the 70th Miss Tech title, listed alphabetically, are:
Savannah Brown
Parents: Marche and Chris Brown
Hometown: Rison
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Early Detection Saves Lives
Sponsor: Bruce Brown Phone Service and Kappa Sigma
Amanda Carson
Parents: Rebecca Dudman and Gregory Pierce
Hometown: Russellville
Talent: Vocal
Platform: Automotive Education and Advocacy
Sponsor: Orr Hyundai
Damaris Castaneda
Parents: Maria Canales and Jose Castaneda
Hometown: Clarksville
Talent: Flute – “Jailhouse Rock”
Platform: Turning Up the Volume-Advocating for Hearing Health
Sponsor: Delta Zeta
Trinity Emmons
Parents: Brad Emmons and Renea Emmons-Willis
Hometown: Russellville
Talent: HerStory
Platform: Confidence Building Through Youth Athletics
Sponsor: Zeta Tau Alpha
Akira Forrest-Mock
Parents: Angie Forrest and Levi Mock
Hometown: Clarksville
Talent: Flag Twirling
Platform: L.I.V.E. Healthy
Sponsor: Delta Zeta
Kenleigh Garner
Parents: Carey and Chris Garner
Hometown: Hot Springs
Talent: Vocal – “Maybe This Time”
Platform: Empowering Voices for All
Sponsor: Phi Mu
Rose Gunther
Parents: Conrad and Elizabeth Gunther
Hometown: Bigelow
Talent: Vocal
Platform: River Valley Ability Center
Sponsor: The Gunthers
Gianna James
Parents: Laura Fricano and Everson James
Hometown: Russellville
Talent: Vocal
Platform: How Small Acts Have Grand Impact
Sponsor: Lee Ann’s Fine Jewelry
Faith Kelly
Parents: April and Dwight D. Kelly
Hometown: North Little Rock
Talent: Instrumental
Platform: Keep H.O.P.E. Alive
Sponsor: Parents
Kylee Lineberry
Parents: Sara and Harlo McCall and Lynn and Josh Lineberry
Hometown: Alma
Talent: Sign Language
Platform: Safe Spaces Save Lives
Sponsor: Parents
Kennedy Stroud
Parents: Sarah and Michael Stroud
Hometown: Benton
Talent: Dance
Platform: Children’s Miracle Network
Sponsor: Alpha Sigma Tau
