Ava Weeks is Miss Arkansas. | Danny Barger Photography
LITTLE ROCK — Ava Weeks, a Ouachita Baptist University student, was crowned Miss Arkansas at Robinson Center on Saturday evening, June 13, 2026.
Weeks, 21, is studying for a degree in Secondary English Education. The Conway native recently competed as Miss Southwest Arkansas, earning that crown among a field of other outstanding young women. She distinguished herself in the past week of competition with her vocal talent and strong stage presence.
Weeks also earned several prestigious honors, including Overall Talent; Overall On-Stage Conversation; The Jessie Bennett Leadership Award; and Miss Arkansas 2026, a $30,000 scholarship sponsored by the Ted and Shannon Skokos Foundation.
Weeks will spend the coming year serving as Arkansas’ official goodwill ambassador while promoting her community service initiatives, educational goals and the. Mission of the Miss America Organization. Her community service initiative — “Every Seat. Every Ride. Buckle Up.” — emphasizes the importance of seat belt safety.
Weeks succeeds Kennedy Holland and will represent Arkansas sas at the upcoming Miss America 2027 competition in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 6.
The competition awarded over $320,000 in scholarships throughout the weeklong competition.
Another young lady representing OBU, Anna Derby, won the Alpha Arrival Award Scholarship at the Miss Arkansas competition. Derby, a senior Kinesiology major, is the daughter of Jay and Susan Derby.
