Miss Heart of the Ozarks Savvy Shields won the title of Miss Arkansas 2016 Saturday night at Bank of the Ozarks Arena in front of a crowd of more than 2,500 people. Shields won a $25,000 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, a news release said.
The other top five finalists and their scholarships were first runner-up, receiving a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Charles and Susie Morgan, Miss University of Arkansas Savannah Skidmore; second runner-up, receiving a $7,000 scholarship sponsored by the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation, Miss South Central Arkansas Brooke Cornelius; third runner-up, receiving a $6,000 scholarship sponsored by Former Miss Arkansas Association, Miss ASU Bailey Moses; and fourth runner-up, receiving at $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Robin Houseworth and Sarah Nail, Miss UCA Ashton Purtle.
The remaining six semifinalists each received a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by Jane White Cosmetics and Skin Care. They were Miss Central Arkansas Caitlyn Cook, Miss Ouachita River Samantha Hudon, Miss Northeast Arkansas Destiny Quinn, Miss Greater Hot Springs Stoni Butler, Miss Arkansas Delta Maggie Benton, and Miss Lights of the Delta Jennifer Ulloa.
Contestants placing 12 to 15 each received a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by Oaklawn, Regions Bank of Hot Springs, Clay & Brittany Combs, MAEDA and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Fund. They were Miss Lake Dardanelle Alexis Sanders, Miss Dogwood Abby Lindsey, Miss Greater Jonesboro Jade Collins, and Miss Northwest Arkansas Jacey Winn.
Additional awards announced during Saturday's pageant were as follows:
• Tony Bowls Designs Overall Evening Gown -- $1,500; Tony Bowls Designs; Shields.
• Katie Bailey Overall Swimsuit -- $1,500; Dr. Michael Cooper; Shields.
• Sarah Slocum Overall Interview -- $2,000; Renee Fronabarger; Miss Arkansas Valley Darynne Dahlem.
• Buddy Coleman Memorial Overall Talent -- $2,500; Buddy Coleman Family; Cook.
• Dreamer Scholarship -- $250; Simone Mullinax; Sanders.
• Overall Service Before Self Award -- $250; Miss Arkansas Pageant; Miss OBU Suzie Gresham.
• Julie Blackwood Steele Smart Swimsuit Award -- $250; Julie Blackwood Steele; Purtle.
• Shannon Albright Memorial Congeniality Award -- $350; June and Leland Felix; Miss Greater Jacksonville Kelli Collins.
• Newcomer Awards -- $500 each, Dr. Rhys Branman, Sanders, Purtle and Shields.
• Miss Arkansas People's Choice Award -- $1,000, Miss Arkansas Pageant, Miss Sweetheart of Arkansas Jennifer Nottenkamper.
• Gracie Nail Education Award in Talent -- $500; Sarah and John Nail, and Bill Hunter; Sanders.
• Lainie Nail Education Award in Interview -- $500; Sarah and John Nail, and Bill Hunter; Sanders.
• Overall Alpha Evening Gown -- $250; Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association; Shields.
• Overall Alpha Talent -- $250; Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association; Shields.
• Overall Alpha Swimsuit -- $250; Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association; Shields.
• Overall Alpha Interview -- $250; Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association; Shields.
• Ashlen Batson Esprit De Corp Award -- $500; Bill Tarkington and Mike Spivey; Hudon.
• Mary Jane Mullins Non-Finalist Interview Award -- $500; Dr. Patti Mullins; Dahlem.
• Non-Finalist Swimsuit Award -- $500; Anne Marie Gibbs and Fine Lines Personal Training; Miss Southwest Arkansas Sarah Clayton.
• Non-Finalist Dance Award -- $250; The Studio by Lauren/Lauren Wood; Nottenkamper.
• Non-Finalist Vocalist Award -- $250; Brad and Zach Stout; Miss North Central Arkansas Rebecca Zurcher.
• Overall Instrumentalist Award -- $250; Kerry Jucas Baldwin; Sanders.
• Sloane Roberts Overall Dance Award -- $500; Cornelius.
• Frances Wilson Overall Vocalist Award -- $500; C.J. Wilson; Cook.
• Miss America State Scholar -- $1,000; Miss America Organization; Miss Arkansas Tech University Carly Copeland.
• Miss America Community Service -- $1,000; Miss America Organization; Cook.
• Miss Arkansas Quality of Life -- $2,000; Miss Arkansas Pageant; Moses.
Local on 07/12/2016