Kelsie Madison, Miss SAU, will compete in the 2017 Miss Arkansas Pageant on Saturday, June 17, in the Robinson Center in Little Rock.
Madison, a native of El Dorado, is a junior business administration major and graduate of Parkers Chapel High School. Her platform is Ability Beyond Disability, and her talent is jazz dance. Madison said competing for the title of Miss Arkansas is a dream come true.
“This week has been a dream of mine since I was a young gal,” Madison said. “Just being here representing SAU is enough joy to last me a lifetime.”
She said that her fellow contestants “have all been very nice and welcoming. I have already made so many strong friendships and learned so much to bring back home with me. I can’t wait to share my knowledge with others.”
Madison said that in competition, her interview “went very well. I was able to voice my political opinions and talk about my platform.”
She said the onstage question “is usually the scariest portion for me, but my question, I promise you, was a gift from God. I have been praying fervently for him to use me as a vessel, and he did so with my question.”
Madison said her “sassy side” came through as she performed her jazz routine to “Dr. Jazz.” On Thursday night, she said she was looking forward to competing in swimsuit. “The one thing this week has taught me is that you have to be true to yourself,” she said. “Of course, as I always say, there’s room for improvement no matter what. It gives me hope and motivation for the future.”
She said that she was satisfied with her performance at Miss Arkansas. “I’ve been so honored to be a representative of El Dorado and Southern Arkansas University.”
Madison added that “lack of sleep is no joke and Miss Arkansas contestants get a very limited amount, anyway, so that our production and show can be its very best.”
This year’s Miss Arkansas Pageant celebrates the 80th year of the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant. The show features 44 contestants from around the state, competing for more than $167,000 in scholarship funds. The crowning for Miss Arkansas 2017 will be broadcast live on KATV beginning with a 30-minute special leading up to the pageant at 7 p.m .
