Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/959400
DOGWOOD FFESTIVAL 2018 • 23 'Good work to do' Miss Dogwood Outstanding Teen ready to rock Little Rock By Dave Woods NWA Democrat-Gazette M iss Dogwood Outstanding Teen is ready to rock Little Rock. Anna Claire Hay said she held her breath a little while awaiting the results of the Miss Dogwood Outstanding Teen competition almost a year ago. "I don't really even know that I can express the emotion," the 14-year-old high school freshman said. "To work so hard for something and finally achieve it is truly a dream. I'll get to go represent Siloam Springs at Miss Arkansas." This summer, June 9-17, Anna Claire, and Miss Dogwood, Bethany Miller, will travel to the Miss Arkansas Pageant in Little Rock. Both queens will compete for titles in their own categories in the Miss America organizations' state competition. "It is a lot of work," said Anna Claire, who attends Siloam Christian School in Springdale. "I've been in the Miss Arkansas organization since I was 4-years old. It is a great honor." Each contestant in the Miss America organization's pageants, Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen and Miss Arkansas, are required to have a personal platform for community service. Anna Claire believes in her very personal mission. "Mine is Teens with Integrity," she said. "It's teaching teens how to be leaders within their community. It's about breaking that generational stereotype. It's just about stepping out within your community." Anna Claire does not hesitate when she sings the praises of the Miss Arkansas organization's contestants and what she has reaped from being involved with it, and them. "They were great role models," she explained. "I never had a big sister growing up. I just had a big brother. These girls have taught me how to be a respectful woman and how to make an impact on my community." Anna Claire is clear, she plans to continue in the Miss America organization and wants to pay her positive pageant experience forward. "I just want them to know that teens can make an impact, no matter what that is," she stressed. "Pageants are known for being only about being 'pretty' and 'walking on stage.' I want them to know that it's so much more than that. It's scholarships and learning to speak in public and how to get others involved, and to be a real platform." While the competitions are very stressful for a teen, and a lot of hard work, when asked... is it any fun? She responded: "It is so much fun. I don't know what I would do without it. It's good work to do, but it's really fun, too." We're your Shield. We're your Shelter. ShelterInsurance.com Jimmy Allen 816 S. Mount Olive Street Siloam Springs, AR 72761 479-524-4183 JAllen@ShelterInsurance.com Our Community Matters ® Allen ve Street R 72761 24-4183 ance.com A parade, an event, a festival, a fair — when we gather together, Shelter is proud to be there. Shelter Insurance ® is pleased to support the Dogwood Festival.