Ana Brandon, a UCA freshman, tries to exemplify excellence and perseverance not only as a journalism student but also as the current holder of the Miss Conway title. 

The Chicago native turned Conway resident started her career in pageants in 2023.

“I started when I was 18 — Jan. 28 of 2023,” Brandon said. “Which was a year before I won my first pageant.

“For the 2023 season, I had only done two pageants, which were the Miss Arkansas Preliminary pageants. Then, I did Miss UCA which was in the 2024 season. I’ve only competed in four.”

At those pageants, Brandon won the title of Alpha Talent at the Miss Central Arkansas competition, second runner-up at the 2023 Miss Conway and most photogenic at the Miss UCA pageant. 

Brandon reflected on her time competing for Miss Conway, and the nerve-racking experience. 

“I didn’t think I was going to be crowned Miss Conway,” Brandon said. “I had never won a preliminary pageant before, and that was my fourth one. Looking back, I was so surprised. My family was shocked, and it was crazy because I had only signed up four days before.

“It’s the most nerve-wracking thing because you can prepare for it, but you can’t prepare in front of 200 people.” 

Brandon who had won titles at previous pageants, explains her improvement during her competitions. 

“It was actually insane. It gets me emotional sometimes,” Brandon said. 

“When I look back, I see that I’ve improved so much. I improved with my onstage vocabulary, my delivery, my confidence with how I speak, my talent and with how I’ve improved on everything.”

Brandon also recognized the importance of Black women competing and a former Miss Arkansas that inspired her to start her journey.

“I saw Ebony Mitchell, who was Arkansas Teen 2022 on Instagram, and I was like ‘Whoa,’” Brandon said. “Black women of color doing a pageant is making history, and that really inspired me to start. I already had a background with onstage presence with the arts, so why not try something new?”

Brandon, who had spent time working in theater, found little difficulty in finding her platform, which promotes inclusion and empowerment through arts and theatre. 

“My platform is arts for all, and empowering youth to discover their part in the arts with the stimulation of a creative outlet,” Brandon said. 

“Not only do education levels rise, but students gain social and emotional learning, healthy habits and confidence with themselves on stage. I think a lot of people think that the arts is just acting, but there’s stage managing and scene design. There are so many opportunities within the arts, so I want those opportunities to be made aware to students as young as kindergarten, and all over central Arkansas.”

Brandon promotes the arts because of the impact they’ve had on her confidence and the people she has met through her time in productions. 

“I was never really shy, but I definitely struggled with being on stage, being comfortable with myself and my talent, said Brandon. 

“Just doing those shows and embodying characters, I’ve realized I’ve gained so much confidence. I’ve gained so many work-related skills. I’ve met so many people. It gives you a lot of networking opportunities.”

Brandon encouraged all students to tap into their authentic self and conquer things that might be scary or outside of the box. 

“There’s only one you,” Brandon said. “I hid the fact that I was a foster kid, and that I had ADHD. Even though those things may be looked at negatively, it makes you who you are. If I didn’t go through those things, I may not even be here today. Always be yourself and trust yourself.”

While also juggling her title and platform as Miss Conway, Brandon is a full-time broadcast journalism student and works with UCA’s student-run broadcast station News 6. 

“At first, I was going to try the medical field, but quickly I realized that was not for me. I had always loved English and writing, so this was the best choice for me,” Brandon said. 

“I was a volunteer last semester [fall 2023], and I learned so much about cameras and reporting. Right now, I’m kind of moving around positions, but it looks like I’ll be working on graphics or maybe be an anchor.”

Outside of college and pageants, Brandon describes herself as a creative thinker and a schedule-oriented individual.