Valentine crowned Miss UAFS

Savannah Nichole Valentine of Alma will represent the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith in the Miss Arkansas Pageant in Hot Springs in July after winning the local Miss UAFS title March 10.

Valentine, 20, is the daughter of Carl and Tamara Valentine of Alma  and is seeking a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and plans to pursue a master’s degree in administration.

For her pageant talent, she performed a jazz dance to “The Way You Make Me Feel.” She is a 2010 graduate of Alma High School. She also won the Lifestyle and Fitness Award in the swimsuit category of competition.

First runner-up: First runner-up was Emily McCollom, 21, daughter of Paul and Pam McCollom of Fort Smith.

Second runner-up: Second runner-up was Courtney Brown, 20, of Central City, daughter of Russell and Stephanie Brown of Central City. She also won both the interview and talent awards and, with a 3.96, won the GPA Award, given to the contestant with the highest grand point average.

Third runner-up: Named third runner-up was Taylor Smith, 19, of Mansfield, daughter of Michael and Tina Smith of Mansfield. She was in a tie for the Miss Congeniality Award.

Fourth runner-up: Fourth runner-up was Hailey Mortenson, 22, of Fort Smith, daughter of Grant and Roseann Mortenson of Greenwood.

Fifth runner-up: Fifth runner-up was Hannah Watlington, 21, of Fort Smith, daughter of Hank and Pam Watlington of Fort Smith.

Additional awards included:
Miss Congeniality: Tied with Taylor Smith for Miss Congeniality was Amanda Shook, 22, of Fort Smith, daughter of Kenneth and Stephanie Shook of Greenwood.

Spirit of Miss UA Fort Smith Award: Receiving the Spirit of Miss UA Fort Smith Award, voted on by the pageant committee, was Cristina Castorena, 21, of Fort Smith, daughter of Ismael and Irma Castorena of Fort Smith.

Audience Appeal Award: Audience Appeal winner was Shelby Osborne, 19, of Eureka Springs, daughter of Donna Kesner of Eureka Springs and Shelby Osborne of Fayetteville.

Audience Appeal Bucket Award: Kaley Jo Beck, 24, of Fort Smith, daughter of Judy Hart of Greenwood, took the Audience Appeal Bucket Award.

Judges ranked contestants in five categories — talent, 35%; interview, 25%; evening wear, 20%; swimsuit, 15%; and on-stage question, 5%. The event was held at the Arkansas Best Corp. Performing Arts Center at the Fort Smith Convention Center.

This year, the Miss UAFS Scholarship Pageant awarded cash and institutional scholarships totaling more than $18,000 and prizes valued at more than $4,000. This included a one-of-a-kind necklace valued at $2,500 given by Sheila Catsavis of The Jewelry Store and a $2,000 check from Rick Card at Joe’s Grill and Cantina, who covered the cost of all contestant commitments to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Pageant chair is Stacey Jones of Fort Smith, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events. Jones is also producer for the Miss Arkansas Pageant.