Van Buren resident and third-time contestant Loren McDaniel took the Miss Arkansas 2015 crown and title during ceremonies held Saturday in Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
A 2015 theater major and graduate of University of Arkansas, she has plans to earn a Master of Fine Arts in the same field. She competed in this year's state pageant as Miss Northwest Arkansas, receiving not only the win, but also the $2,000 Overall Interview Award, $500 Service Before Self Award, and Children's Miracle Network Miracle Maker Award.
She is the 22-year-old daughter of Kevin and Melissa McDaniel of Van Buren, who were in attendance to watch her win. Her personal platform is "Confidently You," which stresses the importance of a positive body image.
McDaniel was crowned by Miss Arkansas 2014 Ashton Campbell, with special guest Miss America Kira Kazantsev onstage beside them. She walked the runway with tears in her eyes and a shower of confetti falling over her, wearing a long-sleeved white gown with alternating vertical sections of a sparkling nude overlay.
She then posed for photo after photo with former titleholders, family, board members and more, consistently flashing an endearing smile.
In an interview following her crowning, the brunette said the reality of her win had "absolutely not set in," adding, "I had to keep closing and opening my eyes to make sure it's not a dream."
For her final night on-stage question, she was asked about her personal mission statement and said people are her mission -- she makes the decision to care and create a positive impact within any personal interactions.
For her talent this year, she showcased a rich vocal range to the Barbra Streisand song, "A Piece of Sky." McDaniel mirrored the sky theme, wearing a head-to-toe blue ensemble.
In addition to individual awards, she won a $20,000 scholarship provided by Ted and Shannon Boy Skokos, Citgo and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation, and more than $75,000 in awards, wardrobe, transportation and gifts.
The new Miss Arkansas said she owes much to Toni and Chris Bahn, who helped McDaniel both to further develop her platform and make her goals forefront during her time competing at the local level and beyond.
The panel of five judges also named four other ladies who, along with McDaniel, comprised the top five finalists. Miss Ouachita River Bailey Moses was first runner-up, receiving a $10,000 scholarship; Miss University of Arkansas Brejamin Perkins received second runner-up and will have a $7,000 scholarship; Miss Northeast Arkansas Claudia Raffo was third runner-up, receiving a $6,000 scholarship; and Miss Arkansas Valley Jacey Winn was named fourth runner-up, earning a $5,000 scholarship.
The remaining top 10 were Miss Southeast Arkansas Stoni Butler, Miss Diamond Lakes McKenzie Moore, Miss Henderson State University Brooke Cornelius, Miss White River Samantha Hudon, and Miss Western Arkansas Darynne Dahlem. Each young lady received a $1,000 scholarship.
McDaniel will represent Arkansas at the 2016 Miss America Pageant, to be held Sept. 8-13 in Atlantic City, N.J.
Local on 07/13/2015