The next contestant featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss Arkansas" is Bethany Kasper. Continue reading to learn more about Bethany, her journey to the crown, and what she would share about her home-state with her roommate if she were to compete for Miss America!

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Please share with our readers your platform along with a brief description of what it is.
My platform is Our Kids Read, and it is based off of programs such as Reading is Fundamental, the University of Arkansas’s Volunteer Action Center Literacy Program, and AR Kids Read. Currently in Arkansas, 70% of fourth graders do not read at the average level, and it affects the rest of their lives. Through tutoring and mentoring, my goal is to help that 70% not only reach that level, but exceed it.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
I began competing in the MAO system as a teen at 14! My very first pageant I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, and through my time as a teen titleholder, and even now as a Miss, I’ve grown immensely. This system has helped me find my voice, and figure out who Bethany Kasper is and what she wants in life. I’ve learned to challenge myself in my preparation for Miss Arkansas, whether that be doing 100 extra crunches or having a goal of speaking to 5 schools a month.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
Arkansas is currently 49th in education, and I would like to see that change drastically. Too many of our Arkansas children, our future, are struggling in school. I want to be a change for these children, so that they may be able to have a successful adult life and change how Arkansas is viewed in success in education.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
I’ve learned how thankful I am to have had the chance to learn to love to read, and to this day continue to be encouraged to read. Many of the children I work with struggle with reading due to the fact that they have never been read to at home, or haven’t been encouraged to fight towards higher education. My platform has made me a better mentor, and made me strive to change the lives of each child I meet.

What have you learned from your current Miss Arkansas Savannah Skidmore as well as our Miss America Savvy Shields, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of  Miss Arkansas?
Both Savvy and Savannah have shown perseverance and the importance of staying true to who you are. As Miss Arkansas, I hope to inspire everyone I encounter to stay true to themselves, work tirelessly for their dreams, and to have a servants heart in everything they do.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
Perseverance. It took me three years to go to the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant, and 5 prelim tries to book my ticket to Miss Arkansas this summer. Each pageant has given me a lesson about myself, and made me work harder to improve each time as a person and a titleholder. Set a goal, and go for it tirelessly, you will never regret it.

If you were to win the title of Miss Arkansas, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
My goal upon becoming Miss Arkansas is to speak to as many low income schools that haven’t had a Miss Arkansas before as possible. I believe that every child should have the chance to be motivated by a titleholder, and often times lower income schools cannot afford to book Miss Arkansas or someone of that level. On my days when I wouldn’t have booked appearances, I will make sure to be at one of those schools, speaking to and inspiring as many children as possible.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Arkansas; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
|We truly embody our nickname of the ‘Natural State’! Driving through Arkansas is anything but boring, with the colors and nature that enchant everyone that comes through! We also have the sweetest people, you will never meet a stranger and will always feel welcome in our great state!

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
A high heel for style, a book for knowledge, and a weight for strength.

Because of media, many people tend to look at pageant with a very scrutinizing opinion; For you. personally, what have been some of the biggest benefits of being a part of the Miss America Organization. And how would you share the positive nature of pageants with others who may not be familiar?
The Miss America system is about becoming the best version of yourself as possible, and encouraging women to reach their goals. Through the scholarships provided and the encouragement that everyone you meet has for you, you feel empowered. I’ve learned to love myself, and create my own destiny that the Miss America Organization has helped me start to reach.

The name of this magazine is Bravura.  “Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
I never stop working towards my dreams, and that is, I believe, an exceptional quality that makes me unique. As a hopeful Broadway performer and hopeful Miss Arkansas, I don’t create a backup plan due to that fact I
don’t want one – I will be successful in my dreams and will achieve every goal I have set for myself.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
@bethany_kasper  on Twitter, and @bethanyyykasper on Instagram.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Go for it! I’ve met some of my absolute best friends through the Miss Arkansas system, and have become who I am as a person in part with my experiences in pageantry. You won’t regret it!

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today  – a member of the Miss Arkansas Class of 2017?
Thank you for taking the chance on an 18 year old girl with larger than life dreams, I am so honored to have this opportunity and cannot wait to stand on that stage this summer!