The 2027 Miss UCA Scholarship Pageant Returns to Reynolds Performance Hall
For the students taking the stage at Reynolds Performance Hall this Friday, November 6, the evening represents more than just a local competition. At 7 p.m., twelve University of Central Arkansas students will compete for the title of Miss UCA 2027, an event that carries the weight of a six-decade institutional history. The program, hosted at 223 Beatrice Powell Street in Conway, serves as an official local preliminary for the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition, which is slated for June 2027.
The stakes for the participants go beyond the sash and crown. According to official University of Central Arkansas data, the pageant functions as a significant financial vehicle for students, awarding more than $14,000 in scholarships and in-kind gifts annually. This aligns with the broader mission of the Miss America Organization, which is the nation’s leading provider of scholarships for young women, with the Miss Arkansas Organization having awarded more than $1 million in scholarships over the past five years.
A Competitive Field of Twelve
The 2027 field reflects a diverse cross-section of the university’s academic departments. The contestants preparing for the categories of talent, evening wear, on-stage question, and interview include:
- TaNiyah Bailey, a sophomore nursing major from Marion.
- Cambree Allen, a sophomore education major from Sherwood.
- Carrigan Floyd, a freshman from Benton.
- Gabrielle Russell, a junior accounting major from Van Buren.
- Attalie Bardwell, a senior middle-level education major from Conway.
- Riley Carlton, a sophomore nursing major from DeQueen.
- Iralynn Rhodes, a sophomore elementary education major from Osceola.
- Isabella Britton, a sophomore journalism major from Conway.
- Sophie Eble, a junior biology major from Little Rock.
- Ava Walker, a junior international studies major from Little Rock.
- Rylee Smith, a sophomore elementary education major from Conway.
- Jayden Cox, a freshman majoring in communication sciences and disorders from Mena.
Six Decades of Institutional Tradition
The pageant has evolved significantly since the university’s first representative competed in 1965, back when the institution was known as the Arkansas State Teachers College. While the format has modernized to emphasize professional development and academic funding, the core objective remains the promotion of leadership and service. For the university, the event is a tangible investment in the student body, supported by a network of local businesses and donors who provide the scholarship funding.
For those attending, admission is priced at $5 for anyone with a UCA ID, while general admission tickets are available for $10.
Whether this year’s winner goes on to secure further funding at the state level in June remains a question for the coming months. For now, the focus is on Friday night, where twelve students will attempt to balance the demands of talent, evening wear, on-stage question, and interview in front of an audience of peers, faculty, and judges.
