LITTLE ROCK — Miss Greater Jonesboro Maggie Benton won the title of Miss Arkansas 2017 Saturday night at the 80th Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant.
The pageant took place at the Robinson Center in Little Rock in front of a sold out crowd of nearly 2,500.
Benton won a $30,000 scholarship provided by Ted and Shannon Boy Skokos, Citgo and the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Foundation and more than $75,000 in awards, wardrobe, transportation, and gifts.
She will represent Arkansas at the 2018 Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City and will make appearances across the Natural State promoting the Children’s Miracle Network, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, her personal platform of “Giving is a Gift” and speaking in support of the goals of the Miss Arkansas and Miss America system.
Benton was crowned by the outgoing Miss Arkansas, Savannah Skidmore, of Calico Rock and Miss America, Savvy Shields, of Fayetteville.
Over $172,000 in scholarships were awarded throughout the week to various contestants.
Benton is a graduate of the University of Arkansas. She is the 22 year old daughter of Murray and Nancy Benton of Jonesboro. For her talent she performed a vocal to “The Music of the Night.”
Nearly $122,000 in scholarships were awarded throughout the week to various contestants.
The other Top Five Finalists were:
1st runner-up (receiving a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Charles and Susie Morgan): University of Arkansas Darynne Dahlem
2nd runner-up (receiving a $9,000 scholarship sponsored by the Dr. Rhys Branman): Arkansas Delta Ashley Ehrhart
3rd runner up (receiving a $7,500 scholarship sponsored by Former Miss Arkansas Association): Northeast Arkansas Bailey Moses
4th runner-up: (receiving at $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Don and Robin Houseworth): White River Claudia Raffo
The five semi-finalists were (each receiving a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Jones and Son Fine Jewelry) — finishing 6-10 and listed in random order:
• Miss Apple Blossom Reagan Wheelis
• Miss Arkansas State University Destiny Quinn
• Miss Gateway to the Ozarks Jacey Winn
• Miss Metro Kenzie Williams
• Miss Spirit of Arkansas Jessica Mille
