Miss UCA Morgan Holt was named first runner-up in the 2012 Miss Arkansas pageant.
Holt, a senior and history major, was awarded an $8,000 scholarship. She also won overall presence and poise in evening gown and was given a $1,000 scholarship. Holt received an $800 scholarship for winning preliminary presence and poise in evening gown.
Holt, 21, is the 47th Miss UCA to compete for the title of Miss Arkansas. She was elated to win first runner-up.
“I feel so honored to have received first runner-up. There were 47 contestants, so even making the top 10 was a great accomplishment,” she said.
Holt competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant in 2009 and 2010. She made the top 10 in 2010.
Her platform for this year’s pageant was “Leading America’s Youth to a Lifestyle of Fitness.” She developed “Fitness Funtastics,” a program and booklet including exercises for use in the school setting.
For the talent portion of the pageant, Holt performed a jazz dance to “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Holt plans to compete in preliminary pageants in order to return to Miss Arkansas next year.
“I believe one of my first to do will be Miss Conway,” she said. “I would love to be able to represent my hometown at the pageant next summer.”
Holt plans to obtain her master’s degree in public relations after graduation.
Ten UCA students competed alongside Holt in the Miss Arkansas pageant. They are: Bethany Bell, Miss Greater Jonesboro; Hannah Billingsley, Miss North Central Arkansas; Caitlyn Cook, Miss Conway; Amber Gross, Miss Spirit of Arkansas; Lauren Howell, Miss South Arkansas; Samantha Hudon, Miss Greater Hot Springs; Chelsy Jones, Miss Lake Dardanelle; Mason Magouyrk, Miss Northeast Arkansas; Makenzie Moore, Miss Petit Jean Valley; and Sarah Sutton, Miss Greater Camden.
