Sarah Slocum was crowned Miss University of Central Arkansas 2008 at the Miss UCA Pageant on Friday night. She was awarded over $8,000 in scholarships and $2,500 in prizes. Slocum won the preliminary talent competition with her song “The Prayer,” as well as the preliminary awards for interview and evening gown. She was also awarded the Bear Spirit and Former Miss UCA Titleholders awards. She is a senior Political Science major and the daughter of David and Jane Slocum of Sheridan. She will spend her reign as Miss UCA promoting her platform, “Paving the Way: Encouraging Higher Education.” Slocum will be the 43rd representative from the UCA to compete for the title of Miss Arkansas in July.
Other winners were Ashlen Batson of Newark, 1st runner up and preliminary swimsuit winner; Alicia Haflich of Mountain Home, 2nd runner up and Academic Excellence Award winner; Melissa Davis of Hot Springs, 3rd runner up; and Ashley Quinn of Searcy, 4th runner up. Leslie Bagwell of Vilonia was selected as Miss Congeniality and winner of the Early Bird Award, and Abby Taylor of Conway won the Producers Award. Other contestants included Rachel Brown of Jonesboro, Jessica Norris of Bryant and Cassie Jo Sanderlin of Hamburg. Over $10,000 in scholarships were awarded during the pageant, which is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.
