Interview with Hope Hesterly, former Miss SAU and current Miss South Central Arkansas: A Job of a Lifetime

Q-What is your current title and the inspiration for you to participate in pageants? 

Hope- I currently hold the title of Miss South Central Arkansas which means I have the honor of representing the South-Central Arkansas area. As someone who grew up in South Arkansas, it is truly a blessing to be able to represent my home. Miss South Central Arkansas is a preliminary for Miss Arkansas, and I will have the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Arkansas in June 2025. I started competing in pageantry because I wanted the opportunity to give back to the communities in Arkansas. I also believed that it would help me grow as a person and help me become the best version of myself that I can be. The Miss America Organization is also the largest provider of scholarships to women in the United States. So far, I have earned almost $15,000 in scholarships during my time competing to go toward my higher education.

Q- Can you share any specific professional opportunities that arose because of your involvement in pageants? 

Hope- The Miss Arkansas Organization has provided me with invaluable resources and mentorship, enabling me to pursue my passions with greater dedication and purpose. The scholarships I’ve garnered have helped me feel financially supported enough to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. Last year, I was the recipient of the Baptist Health Market Place Nursing Scholarship, which fully covered the costs of one semester of my higher education. First beginning in pageantry, I was uncertain about my future career aspirations. However, through my service initiative, I had the opportunity to meet with Arkansas Secretary of Health Renee Mallory. Her inspiring story as a registered nurse solidified my decision to pursue a career in nursing. If it wasn’t for the Miss Arkansas Organization and my time competing in pageants, I may have never found my true calling in life or have the scholarship opportunities to pursue my dream career.

Q- How do you think the skills developed through pageantry can benefit other women in the workforce?

 Hope- Pageantry can teach women so many professional skills that can translate over to the workforce. The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition is divided into five phases of competition: Private Interview, On Stage Conversation, Fitness, Talent, and Evening Gown. Working toward competing in all phases of competition has helped me feel prepared in my professional life. Private interviews and On-stage conversation have taught me to think on my feet, answer professional interview questions, and communicate efficiently. The hard work and dedication I have had instilled in me preparing to compete in fitness, and talent have attributed to my work ethic. Lastly, it takes a lot of poise and confidence to compete in the evening gown portion of competition which are also very important skills in a woman’s professional life as well. I can confidently say now that I have had experience in pageants, I can walk into any job interview feeling prepared and confident in myself because of the skills I’ve developed during my time competing.

Q-Would you view the roles you’ve held as having lifelong significance, and in what ways will that value impact your life moving forward?

Hope- Participating in pageantry has had a profound impact on my personal development, enabling me to cultivate confidence, engage in meaningful service, secure scholarship opportunities, and hone professional skills. As someone who grew up in a single parent household, coming from a small town, and being a first-generation college student, I didn’t always think my dreams and goals were possible, but pageantry has helped me turn my dreams into reality. I want other women who might have experienced challenges in their life to know pageantry can be an outlet to work towards their dreams and inspire other people who might have experienced obstacles in their life too.

Q- What are your reasons for encouraging participation in a pageant, and why do you suggest utilizing Career Services for assistance?

Hope- Career services can be a great outlet for women who are interested in pageantry. The professional skills Career Services can help students develop translates into pageants. Career Services provides mock interviews, which are a great resource when preparing for the private interview competition within pageantry. Career services can also look over the paperwork required to compete in pageants in order to make sure it is organized and professional. For example, to compete in the Miss Arkansas Organization contestants are required to submit an Interview Fact Sheet similar to a resume. Utilizing the resources provided by career services can significantly improve the quality of your interview fact sheet and enhance your competitiveness. They can also help individuals master professional skills such as effective communication, leadership skills, and confidence. Career services and pageantry have a common goal in that they want to help individuals develop professional skills and be prepared for any professional setting. I believe by utilizing both outlets as a resource, women can feel prepared to work towards any dream career.