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The Miss OBU 2023 Scholarship Competition will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, at 7 p.m. in the Jones Performing Arts Center at Ouachita Baptist University. 

Kaelin Clay is the reigning Miss OBU 2022 and won over $9,000 in Miss OBU and Miss Arkansas scholarships last year. Kaelin is a sophomore mass communications and political science major from IdaBel, Oklahoma, and is the daughter of Vic and Karla Clay. 

Four young women from OBU will be competing this year for over $4,000 in scholarships and awards in the categories of private interview, on stage interview and social impact initiative, talent, and evening wear.

Cali Mendonca is a freshman kinesiology major from Troup, Texas, representing the Intramural Referees. She will be performing a baton twirling routine to the song “Don’t Stop Now”.  She is the daughter of Mark and Shelly Mendonca and her social impact initiative is Relieving the Backbone of Ouachita, where she hopes to motivate the OBU Campus to be healthy and prevent injuries by stretching and strengthening their backs.

Savannah Carrigan is a freshman kinesiology major from Centerton, Arkansas, representing the Student Senate. Her talent is an original oration entitled “Doing Hard Things”. She is the daughter of Todd and Toni Carrigan and her social impact initiative is “Run Club”.   

Abbigail Wood is a freshman biology major from Harrell, Arkansas, representing the OBU Academic Success Center. Her talent is a tap dance performance to Great Balls of Fire. She is the daughter of Jonathan and Amy Wood and her social impact initiative is “Let’s Be R.E.A.L. About Body Image”, a four-step system to help others boost self-esteem and achieve a better body image.

Haley Shourd is a sophomore communications and media major from Conway, Arkansas, representing the EEE Social Club. For her talent, she will be singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from the musical Funny Girl. She is the daughter of Jon and Cathy Shourd and her social impact initiative is “Champions for Childhood Cancer Awareness” where she hopes to be a champion for the courageous children and families facing cancer.

The winner will compete in The Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition June 3-10, 2023, in Little Rock. 

Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for adults and may be purchased at the door or in advance at obu.edu/boxoffice.