Miss UAFS preps for Arkansas pageant

story and photo submitted by the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

The week of July 10-16 is approaching quickly, but Sarah Davis of Alma will be ready as she represents the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in the Miss Arkansas Pageant that week.

Davis, a 22-year old nursing major who won the 2011 Miss UAFS title in March, spends from four to six hours a day working out, rehearsing her talent and staying informed in preparation for the interview process.

“For interview, I always keep up with current events, but now I try to formulate more of my own opinions on how events will affect my life as an American, a student and a future nurse,” Davis said.

A send-off party for Davis will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, in Breedlove Auditorium at UAFS. Davis will showcase her pageant wardrobe and will entertain guests with her pageant talent.

Davis said she wanted to win the Miss UAFS Pageant last spring because anyone who knows her knows how much she loves UAFS, and she wanted the chance to embody the university spirit.

“I felt that if anyone could represent our university at state, it could be me,” she said. “It is truly an honor. I strive to exhibit UA Fort Smith’s core values and beliefs, and I believe that having such high standards of determination and excellence will ultimately make me very successful.”
 
She admits she has one struggle in preparation for the state pageant — time management.

“Especially with beautiful weather, it is easy to get distracted with summer festivities,” Davis said. “Right now the biggest struggle for me is time. I am really working on being focused and planning my time wisely.”

Davis has a great deal of optimism about one particular aspect of the competition.

“I am most excited about the talent portion,” said Davis, who will play “Flight of the Bumblebee” on the French horn. “I am excited to see the judges’ and audience’s reaction to my talent piece. I really think they are going to love it.”

Davis, in addition to winning the Miss UAFS title, took the Interview Award and was named the Audience Appeal Winner. She is the daughter of Eldon and Cindy Davis of Alma and is a 2007 graduate of Alma High School. Davis is seeking a bachelor’s degree in nursing at UAFS. She wants to eventually obtain a doctorate in public health administration.

The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant is being held in Hot Springs, with the final night on July 16. If Davis is crowned Miss Arkansas, she will continue on to appear at the Miss America Scholarship Pageant at a later date.

The send-off party also allows the public to show their support and to provide those who wish to give Davis a gift a venue for doing that. A “wish list” from Davis can be acquired by visiting the Campus and Community Events Office in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center.