Office of Media Relations
By: Kyra Waller
Miss UCA Kennedy Holland
Photo credit: Danny Barger Photography
Miss UCA Kennedy Holland won $24,000 in scholarships during The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Program competition which was held June 11 to 15 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock. Miss UCA is an official local preliminary for Miss Arkansas.
Holland, was among the 45 contestants vying for the 2024 Miss Arkansas title and placed 1st Runner Up, receiving a $15,000 scholarship sponsored by Dr. Rhys Branman, Cosmetic Surgery Center, Exhale Med Spa.
She also won the Buddy Coleman Memorial Overall Talent $3,500 scholarship given by Buddy Coleman Family, The Melonie McGarrah Overall Vocalist Award, in the amount of $2,000 and provided by Miss Arkansas 1996 Melonie McGarrah Moore for her vocal performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Holland’s wins didn’t stop there as she won Preliminary Evening Gown, $1,000 scholarship provided by the Royal We, Preliminary Talent $2,000 scholarship by the Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association, and Preliminary Health and Fitness $500 provided by the Miss Arkansas Executive Directors Association.
Miss Greater Little Rock Jada Simpson
UCA student and Miss UCA 2023 Jada Simpson, now Miss Greater Little Rock, placed in the top 15 and will receive a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by Kendra Scott, The Jim and Kay Hinkle Family, Glen Eskola in memory of Heather Callicott and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation. Simpson also won the Confidently You Award in the amount of $500 given by MAGS Trucking. Additionally, Simpson received the Stephanie Green Teachers Make Teachers Award, in the amount of $2,000, given by Jared and Stephanie Green.
Miss Lake Dardanelle Tori Lane Kiser
UCA student and Miss Lake Dardanelle,Tori Lane Kiser won The Ebony Mitchell Alpha “Grace, Impact & Resilience” Award, in the amount of $500 and provided by Danny Tucker and Thomas Marvel.
