2021 Miss Arkansas Princess of America Crown and Banner

I am the 2021 Miss Arkansas Princess of America. There is a great pride titleholders feel as a representative of their city, state, or country. Being Miss Arkansas has helped me root myself in my identity as a University of Arkansas student, so I wanted to include the crown and banner in this exhibition.

I won my title in February 2021 and quickly got to work volunteering in my community. It has been my goal to make the biggest impact I can, so I listened to my community to find how to best serve them. Upon learning that the rate of food insecurity on campus is three times higher than the national average among college students and that 1 in 4 children experience food insecurity in NWA, I made it my platform to give back by volunteering at food pantries, food banks, and mobile food pantries. It is of utmost importance that my crown is not worn in vain, but is symbolic of the work I do to make a difference.

The crown itself is a tad heavy, but that helps it sit well on your head. It has plastic claws on either side to help it stick to your head, but I always secure it with an uncountable amount of bobby pins. It is designed in a heart shape to represent the Princess of America Organization’s mission to embody the heart of pageantry by empowering young women to speak up about their passions. When it sparkles in the light, it reflects a rainbow and matches the rhinestones that line the banner. The banner is made from a pale pink silk fabric. Similar to the crown, it has a decent weight to help it stay on your shoulder. It lies on your right shoulder and crosses diagonally over your body like a seat belt. Personally, it makes me feel like a superhero when I wear it.

To preserve both the crown and banner, I do not wear them when I am volunteering except to take pictures. Overtime, their sparkle and shine will inevitably dull, but the memories and impact I make will outlast. For safe keeping, they stay in a crown case, A.K.A. caboodle, that I carry with me everywhere I go for events and volunteer opportunities. In February, I will crown my successor at the Jones Center in Springdale, AR, but luckily, I get to keep my crown and banner in remembrance of my reign.

One of the biggest duties I have had as Miss Arkansas was competing at the national competition this past July in Branson, Missouri with all my fellow state titleholders from across the United States. It was one of the best weeks of my life getting to become friends with these inspiring women who are passionate about raising awareness for their personal platforms. They embody the true meaning of a queen as role models in their communities. My goal was to make it into the semi-finals, but I ended up making it to the top three! I was so glad to represent Arkansas well and hope I made my state proud.