After competing in pageants since she was nine years old, UCA alumna, Ebony Mitchell, won the title of Miss Arkansas 2022 on Saturday, June 18. 

Mitchell is the 84th Miss Arkansas and has been working toward this goal since she met the 2005 Miss Arkansas winner, Eudora Mosby, at her elementary school. 

Mitchell is from Harrison, Ark., which has a lower percentage of black population. Despite this, Mitchell wants to change the way her hometown is perceived. 

“Harrison is a beautiful place full of beautiful people. It has the unfortunate reputation of being an unwelcoming town to people of color. Growing up, I did not see diversity or women of color in powerful roles. However, meeting Eudora Mosby at my elementary school, who was the second black Miss Arkansas, changed it all for me. I plan to change the narrative of how Harrison is perceived through my year as Miss Arkansas as a woman of color,” Mitchell said. 

“She made me feel like I was capable of doing great things, that I was valued and important. I knew from that moment that I wanted to be Miss Arkansas just like her, so I could make others feel the same way,” Mitchell said.

The UCA alumna is proud to represent her state with her new title, though she is still getting used to it. 

“My reaction to hearing my name was indescribable. I could not believe what was happening. It is all a blur, but it is starting to sink in and feel real. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity,” Mitchell said. “So many women do not get the opportunity to be Miss Arkansas so this year will be special as I not only represent my state, but I’ll also be representing the amazing women from the 2022 Miss Arkansas class.”

Each pageant Mitchell has been involved in has stood out to her in their own ways, as she has competed in many. Some of these include Miss North Central Arkansas Outstanding Teen, Miss Central Arkansas, Miss University of Central Arkansas, Miss Metro and Miss Dogwood. 

“Each preliminary title brings different people and different perspectives and memories. I’ve gained so many incredible relationships throughout them all,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell is also the first former Diamond State Princess to be crowned Miss Arkansas. In preparation for Miss Arkansas 2022, Mitchell’s focus was on authenticity. 

“This year I really focused on being my true authentic self and I wanted that to show. I worked on perfecting my skills in interviews, talent and onstage interviews. I wanted to be the best mentor for my Princesses and really give them the best week I could at Miss Arkansas,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell graduated from UCA in 2019 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. She served as the cheer captain and led the team to College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Fla., during her senior year.

In May of 2022, Mitchell graduated from John Brown University with her Master of Healthcare Administration. 

“I competed in Miss Arkansas this year as Miss Dogwood and was able to reign over the Dogwood Festival. The people of Siloam Springs are incredible and I’m so lucky to represent them,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell credits her time at UCA with helping her gain valuable skills that come in handy with her pageant career. 

“Being in the leadership role as cheer captain and being the role model helped tremendously in my pageant career. Cheer taught me how to be mentally and physically strong, as well as how to successfully mentor a large group of people,” Mitchell said. 

Mitchell is motivated by the support she receives from everyone around her. 

“Having a village that constantly supports me and encourages me is everything. Mentoring my princesses and impacting people throughout my time as a titleholder is what inspires me to keep going. The stories and memories that have come with me through the years make it all worth it,” Mitchell said. 

When it comes to advice for younger girls who want to follow in her footsteps, Mitchell is all about dreaming big and believing in yourself. 

 “I would encourage them to dream big beyond their circumstances. I never thought I could be or would be Miss Arkansas, but with determination and perseverance I did it and so can you. I believe in you, and once you believe in yourself, you can do anything,” Mitchell said. 

Next up, Mitchell will prepare for the Miss America competition in December. 

“I’m so excited to walk on that stage and represent the best state in America. I’m also excited to be Miss Arkansas and start making an impact right here in Arkansas, continuing to share my social impact ‘A Responsible Digital You’ across the state and meeting as many people as I can,” Mitchell said.