Kate Manuel of Inexperienced Forest was topped the 68th Miss Tech Friday evening in the course of the 2024 Miss Arkansas Tech College Scholarship Pageant at Witherspoon Auditorium.
The daughter of Emma and Alexander Manuel and Noel Ramirez, Manuel is a 20-year-old junior at ATU. She is pursuing a bachelor's diploma in elementary schooling.
Manuel received the Nona Dirksmeyer Memorial Expertise Award, the Lindsey Ahrens McCrary Vocal Award, the Stage Interview/Neighborhood Service Initiative Award, the Zachary McClure Denison Management Award, the night put on competitors and the Dr. Jim Collins Miss Congeniality Award on Friday evening . competitors
“It feels wonderful,” Manuel mentioned moments after receiving his crown. “I’m so grateful to God. It's one thing I've been engaged on for the previous three years. I instructed God I wouldn't doubt him, and now I'm right here.”
Manuel was third runner-up within the 2022 Miss Arkansas Tech pageant and first runner-up within the 2023 Miss Arkansas Tech pageant.
“It was a variety of laborious work, a variety of dedication and a variety of lengthy nights,” Manuel mentioned. “My motivation is myself. I do know I'm the one one who could make my very own goals come true, so I needed to do it.”
Manuel's neighborhood service initiative is “Si Se Puede: Empowerment by means of Training”. Her purpose is to reveal minority college students to details about scholarship alternatives that may assist them pursue greater schooling.
“It's all about advocating for the scholars,” mentioned Manuel, whose long-term profession aspiration is to function a faculty district superintendent. “I wish to advocate for his or her future and their success.”
Manuel will symbolize ATU within the Miss Arkansas 2024 pageant this summer season at Robinson Efficiency Corridor in Little Rock.
“It's been a dream of mine for a very long time,” Manuel mentioned. “We've by no means been to Miss Arkansas, however right here we’re.”
Among the many prizes Manuel receives as Miss Tech is a two-semester scholarship to Arkansas Tech. In complete, greater than $21,000 in presents and scholarships have been awarded in the course of the 2024 Miss Arkansas Tech pageant.
Onnalyse Smith of Russellville positioned first and received the Kristen Hayes Atchley Dance Award.
Scorching Springs' Kenleigh Garner (second runner-up), Plainview's Jazmine Houston (third runner-up) and Rison's Savannah Brown (fourth runner-up) rounded out the highest 5 of the 10 opponents.
Emma Guill of Scorching Springs received the Virginia Bachman Scholastic Achievement Award because the candidate with the best grade level common. Marybeth Boroughs of Russellville received the Instrumentalist/Inventive/Spoken Phrase award.
Different contestants within the 68th Miss Tech pageant have been Nichele Bush of Rison, Jazmyne Campbell of Yellville and Reagan Smith of Sheridan.