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Four A-State Grads Make ‘Top 15’ of 2021 Miss Arkansas Pageant

06/19/2021

JONESBORO – Nine current or former Arkansas State University students competed in the 83rd annual Miss Arkansas Pageant this week. Two of the nine made the “top five,” with two others in the “top 15” among the field of contestants.

-- Jessica Miller, competing as Miss River Delta, was second runner-up and received an $8,000 scholarship. Her social impact statement is “S.A.V.E.: Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.” Miller, a native of Bryant, performed a tap dance to “Pump It.” She earned a bachelor’s degree at A-State and is now a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

-- Sydney Wendfeldt, competing as Miss Arkansas Valley, was third runner-up and received a $6,000 scholarship. Her social impact statement is “Backpack for Kids.” Her talent presentation was a vocal solo, “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” A native of Mountain Home, she earned her bachelor’s degree at A-State and is a graduate student at the University of Arkansas. Wendfeldt tied for the preliminary on-stage interview award on Friday, the final night of preliminaries.

Those who also made the top 15 are:

-- Cori Keller, competing as Miss Historic Batesville. Her social impact statement is “Everyday Kids Everyday Food.” Keller’s talent presentation was a tap dance to “Welcome to the Jungle.” A native of Stuttgart, she earned a bachelor’s degree at A-State, where she is currently pursuing a graduate degree.

-- Ellie Stafford, competing as Miss Northeast Arkansas. Her social impact statement is “Live to Give.”  Her presentation was a lyrical dance to “The Prayer.”  A native of Jonesboro, she earned a bachelor degree at A-State, where she is now pursuing a graduate degree.

Others in the pageant were Apple Dennie, Miss Arkansas State University; Sarah Michael, Miss Grand Prairie; Alaysia Carter, Miss Crowley's Ridge; McKenzie Williams, Miss Greater Jonesboro; and Madeline Adams, Miss Arkansas River.

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Jessica Miller
Jessica Miller

Sydney Wendfeldt
Sydney Wendfeldt

Cori Keller
Cori Keller


Ellie Stafford
Ellie Stafford