PHOTO: Anna Derby is pictured in the moments after she was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University 2026. | Courtesy photo
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The Miss OBU 2026 Scholarship Competition was held Saturday, Feb. 14, on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University.
Anna Derby, a junior Kinesiology/Pre-Physical Therapy major from Arkadelphia, was crowned the new Miss OBU 2026 and won $2,900 in scholarships. Miss OBU 2025 Ava Weeks, a junior English education major from Conway, crowned the new winner.
Derby’s talent was a tap dance performance to “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Marsand herCommunity Service Initiative is Strive to Thrive: Working Towards Wellness. She was sponsored by the OBU Kinesiology Club and is the daughter of Jay and Susan Derby of Arkadelphia.
A total of $6,300 in scholarships were awarded to the following young women during the evening:
Anna Derby: Winner $2,250; Photogenic Award $100; Alpha Private Interview Award $250; Evening Wear Award $300
Kidron Romoser: First Runner-Up $800
Alli Hylkema: Second Runner-Up $400; People’s Choice Award; Miss Congeniality Award $200; Alpha Talent Award $250; Talent Award $500; Academic Award $100
Emma Dill: Non-Finalist Talent Award $250
Diana Taylor: Spirit of Miss OBU Award $150
Olivia Taylor: Non-Finalist Private Interview Award $250
Lauren Mann: The Bill Tarkington Legacy Award $250
Madeline Yaney: The Mike Spivey Tiger Award $250
Derby will compete June 8-13 for Miss Arkansas at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.