The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity (Pike) presented the 50th annual Miss Arkansas State University scholarship competition, with first place winner Brooke Lynn Ray earning $5,700.

“This campus has helped me in so many different ways,” Ray said. “I am honored to represent this university with pride.”

10 women competed in the event, which took place in Riceland Hall at the Fowler Center. The runner-ups were: Erika Parker in first, Audriann Wolfe in second, Emma Kate James in third and Emma Scott in fourth. 

Ray, who also received the Talent Award and Social Media Promotions Award, is a member of the A-State Dance Team, Future Business Leaders of America and the Alzheimer’s Awareness Club. 

This was her first pageant and said she had no clear expectations, only a goal to do the best she could. 

“I wanted to have fun and make connections with people,” Ray said. 

When she stepped out on stage, she said she knew she was ready. 

“The pageant was so much fun and such a great experience. I felt that that was a win in itself,” Ray said. 

She said she’s grateful for all the scholarships she has been awarded and it was incredibly special being crowned during Miss A-State’s 50th anniversary. She added it’s been an honor to continue former Miss A-State winners’ legacies. 

“Seeing all those women that have been Miss A-State was truly amazing. I have been inspired by every single woman that has stepped up on that stage,” Ray said. 

Jeff Hankins, A-State system’s vice president for strategic communications and economic development, said students involved in the event focused on community service and raising awareness of social issues. 

He said the competition provided a significant platform for them to show their initiatives.

Hankins, who also serves as the executive director of Miss A-State and Pike, said the fraternity has sponsored the event for the last 50 years. The 1974 fraternity leaders Dan Medlock and Tim O. Brown secured a franchise with the state organization to create the Miss A-State scholarship competition, helping fund college expenses. 

”Pi Kappa Alpha handles all the business and sales operations of the event,” Hankins said.  “Advertising and sponsorship sales in particular give our students excellent experience to prepare for various careers.”

Additionally, he said the Miss A-State Board of Directors and Pike undergraduates worked diligently to prepare for the event, especially in celebration of the semi-centennial milestone.

“We have 18 former title holders who are returning to join us for the anniversary celebration and will be recognized during the competition,” Hankins said. “Sponsors and past winners have been eager to expand scholarship opportunities and ensure the ongoing success of Miss A-State.”

The scholarship competition scoring focused on interviews and talent performances. As part of the 50-year anniversary celebration, Pike announced a $25,000 scholarship endowment through the ASU System Foundation.

“The university is a very important partner because Miss A-State serves as a local and state ambassador for the campus while also representing us at Miss Arkansas. (They’re) to represent the university at various campus and community events, so the contestants are eager to get this opportunity, as well,” Hankins said. 

Rocco Hicks, a junior political science major from Prattsville, Arkansas, is president of Pike. He said the fraternity’s involvement in hosting the event is a special source of pride. 

“To see it hit such a milestone simply makes everyone proud, from members, alumni and previous Miss A-State’s,” Hick said. “We truly have an experience no other fraternity can match.”

Pike is the only fraternity in the nation that hosts a Miss America-sponsored pageant. Hicks said the values in Pike’s old motto “SLAG”, meaning scholars, leaders, athletes and gentlemen, were embodied through the event.

Additionally, he said Pike’s continued commitment to hosting Miss A-State has made it an anticipated event for the A-State community.

Each fall, Pike appoints a director to oversee the event. This year, Clayton Dawson ensured all Miss America rules were followed. The fraternity also created advertisements, assisted with rehearsals and set up the Fowler Center in advance. 

In honor of the 50th anniversary, previous Miss A-State winners participated in the “Miss A-State Walk.” Sponsors also held a “Forever Miss A-State” reception before the event.

“I hope these women and the audience take away the true impact they can leave on A-State regardless of if they’ve been here for one year or four years,” Hicks said. “All it takes is one idea and some determination and before long, you can come back and celebrate the 50th year anniversary of something you started.”

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