UCA to Host 2027 Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant on Nov. 6

Twelve students will step onto the Reynolds Performance Hall stage Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m., competing for a crown and a share of scholarships in a tradition that has shaped young women at the University of Central Arkansas for six decades.

The University of Central Arkansas will host the 2027 Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant Friday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Performance Hall, 223 Beatrice Powell Street, Conway, reported.

A Night of Talent and Ambition

The pageant is an official local preliminary for the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition, part of the Miss America Organization, which is the nation’s leading provider of scholarships for young women. Over the past five years, the Miss Arkansas Organization alone has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships, showing the significant financial and professional stakes of these events. The winner of tomorrow’s event will be crowned Miss UCA 2027 and go on to represent the university at the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition in June 2027.

Contestants will be judged in several categories, showcasing a diverse range of skills and academic interests. The competition includes talent, evening wear, and an on-stage question and interview segment. The contestants, all current UCA students, represent a variety of majors and hometowns across Arkansas, from Marion to Mena and Sherwood to Little Rock.

Admission to the event is $5 with a UCA ID and $10 for general admission, making it an accessible community gathering as well as a scholarship competition.

The Faces of the Future

The 2027 contestants are TaNiyah Bailey, Cambree Allen, Carrigan Floyd, Gabrielle Russell, Attalie Bardwell, Riley Carlton, Iralynn Rhodes, Isabella Britton, Sophie Eble, Ava Walker, Rylee Smith and Jayden Cox. They are:

Marion bailey cannes france may photocall her movie mr turner th festival de cannes

TaNiyah Bailey of Marion, a sophomore majoring in nursing.
Cambree Allen of Sherwood, a sophomore majoring in education.
Carrigan Floyd of Benton, a freshman still deciding major.
Gabrielle Russell of Van Buren, a junior majoring in accounting.
Attalie Bardwell of Conway, a senior majoring in middle-level education.
Riley Carlton of DeQueen, a sophomore majoring in nursing.
Iralynn Rhodes of Osceola, a sophomore majoring in elementary education.
Isabella Britton of Conway, a sophomore majoring in journalism.
Sophie Eble of Little Rock, a junior majoring in biology.
Ava Walker of Little Rock, a junior majoring in international studies.
Rylee Smith of Conway, a sophomore majoring in elementary education.
Jayden Cox of Mena, a freshman majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

A Six-Decade Legacy of Leadership

This year’s pageant is not just an event; it’s a continuation of a long and storied tradition. Since the university’s first representative competed in 1965 as Miss Arkansas State Teachers College, the Miss UCA program has been a cornerstone of scholarship, leadership, and service on campus. For over 60 years, this program has provided a platform for young women to develop their public speaking skills, build community connections, and secure financial support for their education. The Miss UCA Pageant is more than a competition; it is a community investment in the potential of the students. It empowers them with scholarships and a network that extends far beyond their time at UCA.

The financial support provided through the pageant is a critical component of its mission. Thanks to generous donors and local businesses, the program awards scholarships and in-kind gifts in excess of $14,000 each year.

Keep reading