Miss UCA 2026 Ana Brandon Photo/Matthew Sewell Photography
Ana Brandon of Conway, a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, has been crowned Miss University of Central Arkansas 2026, receiving a $6,000 scholarship and over $4,000 of in-kind gifts.
Brandon received the Overall Vocal/Instrument Performance Award and the On Stage Interview Award. She will represent the university at the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition in June 2026.
Riley Strube of Cabot, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders, was first runner-up and won the Overall Dance Performance Award.
Ava Walker of Little Rock, a sophomore majoring in international studies, was second runner-up and received the Academic Achievement Award.
Abby Bounds of Camden, a senior majoring in information systems, was third runner-up and received the Producer’s Award, the People’s Choice Award, the Miss Congeniality Award and the Overall Evening Gown Award.
Cambree Allen of Sherwood, a freshman majoring in nursing, was fourth runner-up and received the Photogenic Award.
Gabrielle Russell of Van Buren, a junior majoring in accounting, received the Bear Spirit Award, and Izzy Saettele of Hot Springs, a graduate student studying accountancy and data analytics, received the Academic Achievement Award.
Award winners, from left: Izzy Seattele, Academic Achievement Award; Abby Bounds, Producer’s Award, People’s Choice Award, Miss Congeniality Award and Overall Evening Gown Award; Riley Strube, first runner-up and Overall Dance Performance Award; Miss UCA 2026 Ana Brandon, Overall Vocal/Instrument Performance Award and On Stage Interview Award; Ava Walker, second runner-up and Academic Achievement Award; Cambree Allen, fourth runner-up and Photogenic Award; and Gabrielle Russell, Bear Spirit Award. Photo/Matthew Sewell Photography
Since the university’s first representative competed in 1965 as Miss Arkansas State Teachers College, Miss UCA has been part of a six-decade tradition of scholarship, leadership and service. With the help of generous donors and local businesses, Miss UCA awards scholarships and in-kind gifts in excess of $14,000 each year.
The Miss UCA Pageant is an official local preliminary for the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition, part of the Miss America Organization – the nation’s leading provider of scholarships for young women. The Miss Arkansas Organization has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships over the past five years.
More information is available at uca.edu/missuca.