The week of July 14-20 is approaching quickly, but Taylor Smith of Mansfield will
be ready as she represents the AV抖阴 at Hot Springs
in the Miss Arkansas Pageant that week.
Smith, a 20-year-old media communications major who won the 2013 Miss AV抖阴 title in March, spends from four to six hours a day working out, rehearsing her talent and staying informed in preparation for the interview process.
鈥淚 try to stay up to date on current events,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 watch as much news as I can. News updates come to my phone so, even on the go, I can still see what鈥榮 happening and research it later.鈥�
A send-off party for Smith will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center at AV抖阴. Smith will use the event to showcase her pageant wardrobe and entertain guests with her pageant talent, which is vocal performance.
The send-off also allows the public to show their support and provides a venue for Smith鈥檚 supporters to give her a gift to help offset her personal expenses in the competition. A "wish list" from Smith can be acquired by visiting the Campus and Community Events Office in the Campus Center.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor to represent AV抖阴,鈥� Smith said 鈥淭his institution has given me many opportunities to succeed, and competing in Miss Arkansas is another chance AV抖阴 is giving me to excel. I鈥檝e wanted to represent AV抖阴 at the Miss Arkansas Pageant since I first started competing in pageants, and now that opportunity is here.鈥�
Smith admits she has one struggle in preparation for the state pageant -- time management.
鈥淓very appearance they鈥檝e scheduled for me is on my calendar in my phone,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd my phone goes with me everywhere. So I always know when and where I have to be. It鈥檚 important for me to schedule my time wisely and make the most of every minute of the day.鈥�
Smith has a great deal of optimism about one particular aspect of the competition.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the evening gown competition,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淚 love the elegance of this portion of the pageant. And of course, I love seeing all of the beautiful gowns.鈥�
Sherry Card of Fort Smith is co-chair and business manager of the AV抖阴 Pageant Committee. She said Smith is very impressive in her work habits and determination.
鈥淭aylor is going to do a great job of representing AV抖阴 at Miss Arkansas because she鈥檚 realized the importance of being an upstanding role model to so many young women,鈥� Card said. 鈥淎nd she鈥檚 proud to be a part of the Miss America System because it鈥檚 the largest scholarship foundation for women in the country.鈥�
Card said she knows Smith is going to do well.
鈥淭aylor is a genuinely nice person,鈥� Card said. 鈥淪he has a strong support system. She鈥檚 taking this opportunity very seriously.鈥�
If Smith is crowned Miss Arkansas at Hot Springs, she will continue on to the Miss America Scholarship Pageant.