Kassidy Bell
Anna Brandon
Mattison Gafner
Kennedy Holland
Tori Lane Kiser
Jada Simpson
By: Kyra Waller
Office of Media Relations
University of Central Arkansas students and alumnae will be among 45 contestants competing for the 2024 Miss Arkansas title this week.
UCA students Ana Brandon of Conway, Kennedy Holland of Greenwood, Tori Lane Kiser of Cabot and Jada Simpson of Maumelle and UCA alumnae Kassidy Bell of Green Forest and Mattison Gafner of Conway will carry the UCA Bear spirit with them as they compete at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock to become the next Miss Arkansas.
Competition begins June 8.
Bell is Miss Ozark Highlands. Bell’s community service initiative is “Disabilities Do Not Define.”
Brandon is Miss Conway. She is a sophomore at UCA double majoring in broadcast journalism and theatre. Brandon’s community service initiative is “Arts for All: Empowering Youth to discover their part in the Arts.”
Gafner is Miss Natural State. Gafner’s community service initiative is “Supporting First Responders; Our Heroes.”
Holland is the current Miss UCA. She is a junior majoring in communication. Holland’s community service initiative is Compassion Legacy, a nonprofit she founded, that focuses on making public places accessible and inclusive for intellectually and developmentally disabled youth.
Kiser is Miss Lake Dardanelle. Kiser’s community service initiative is “Inclusion is Key: Advocating for Special Olympics.”
Simpson is Miss Greater Little Rock and was the 2023 Miss UCA. Simpson is a senior majoring in elementary education. Simpson’s community service initiative is “HEROES Against Bullying.”
Miss Arkansas is an official preliminary to the Miss America competition. Learn more about the Miss Arkansas competition at www.missarkansas.org.
