Having grown up in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Meggie Benton, never thought herself to be a “pageant girl.” And through her time within the Miss America Organization, she has truly defined herself through her role as Miss Arkansas 2017. As she advocated for her platform, Giving is a Gift, throughout her year, this amazing young woman explained to hundreds of people in different communities, “what a gift it can be to give.” Continue reading to read more about Benton’s year as Miss Arkansas and what she hopes for the future title-holder.

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How does one balance the title of Miss Arkansas, and so much more at the same time?
When preparing for the job of Miss Arkansas, I knew that if I was to receive the opportunity, it would become my full time job.  Because Miss Arkansas is my full time job, I am able to focus solely on my role and title for the year and I don’t have to split my focus with school, career, etc. I am thankful for that fact!

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Arkansas system? How did you use what you learned at a local level in preparing for the national pageant? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss America?
It took me four times to win the Miss Arkansas crown, so needless to say, I have learned so many lessons along the way! This journey has been the most amazing, perspective-invoking experience. When preparing, I was a busy college student.  I always tried my best to invite “pageant prep” into my everyday life. For example, I joined the University of Arkansas Women’s Chorus to keep my voice strengthened for talent, and I took classes about American government and current events to make sure that I was seasoned in news topics. I stayed on top of my fitness routine and healthy habits, and I did a lot of “soul searching” to keep my emotions and spiritual life in check! All of those things played a role in my recipe for success. I prepared for Miss America the same way that I’d prepared for Miss Arkansas because I knew that was what worked for me.  It was definitely a challenge to prepare for Miss America while trying to succeed in my full time job as a state titleholder, but it also gave me the confidence to represent my state to the best of my ability because I knew I had their support.

What has been three of your most memorable experiences, while serving as Miss Arkansas for your state?

1. Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine in Jonesboro – a prom for community members with special needs

2.    Homecoming at my high school, Valley View – a day full of events to welcome me home
3.    The Show Us Your Shoes Parade – my favorite part of my Miss America experience

There are so many more!! I could name memorable experiences for days.


How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also your national platform towards Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
It has been wonderful to see the correlation between our Arkansas Children’s Hospital and my personal platform, Giving Is a Gift.  I have had the opportunity to volunteer at so many Arkansas Children’s events, fundraisers, and even the hospital itself. Doing so is the perfect way to give back in my community during my year, and allows me to lead by example because I’m promoting giving and philanthropy.

With the recent news which has been brought up in regards to the former Miss America Org. board, what do you hope the future of the MAO holds with their new Chairwoman, Gretchen Carlson?
I am eager to see the organization become even stronger under the leadership of Gretchen Carlson! I hope that it continues to find new ways to leave an impact on women all over the country through growth in scholarships, programs, and empowerment.

It seems that we’re heading into a path towards women empowerment with these changes; what advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
Now is the time, and change can be such a good thing!  Take a leap of faith and give it a try, because the experience that you will gain through simply the preparation process is simply invaluable.


Pageants, in general, are so highly criticized by so many people across the world. What do you have to say to those who speak negatively about pageants?
Pageants aren’t just “pageants,” they are an opportunity to put yourself out there and develop into who you really are.  Because of my pageant experience, I dove into new ideas and goals that I didn’t even know I could reach. Working to reach these goals helped broaden my view of the world around me and broaden my view of my capabilities.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I hope and pray that I have been a role-model for young people because I have consistently tried to put myself in their shoes.  I think it’s so important that everyone has a role model who understands who they are and what they are going through. Through each school visit and conversation with a child, I’ve tried to relate to their situation and form a genuine interest in them.

What do you think is the biggest challenge which is facing the young generation of America today? And how can we work together to overcome it?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge facing young people is the fear of failure.  Because of social media, everything is remembered, therefore so many young people are scared to put themselves out there.  Often, if a young person is to fail or become insecure, they resort to negative, life-altering activities and thoughts. I hope and pray that young people will not let social media truly get to them.  It’s so important that they continue to put themselves out there so that the next generation can be filled with great leaders and world-changers!

Now that your reign as Miss Arkansas, is coming to an end, what are your future plans?
I am sad that this amazing journey is over, but it has been the perfect catalyst for the next phase.  I will use the scholarships that I’ve earned through the Miss America Organization to fund my graduate education degree – a masters in Public Service.  Grad school here I come!


Regardless of whoever becomes the new Miss Arkansas, what is one goal you have for her, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
I hope that the next Miss Arkansas is able to see her platform transform lives.  There is nothing better than feeling like you’ve changed lives through your message.  I pray this for the next woman with the role!

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
I hope that the contestants will learn something about themselves that they didn’t know prior.  Over the course of my competition experience, I’ve been so open to letting this journey transform me from the inside out.  Because of that, I’ve recognized so many new things about myself. It’s so much more than what happens on stage. I pray that any woman competing will feel a sense of accomplishment in opening her eyes and letting this journey truly transform her perspective.  That is part of what makes competing such a wonderful opportunity!


What words of thanks for you have for your director, Jessie Ward Bennett?
Jessie works 365 days a year to make sure that the pageant happens even bigger and better than the year before.  The contestant experience is amazing because of the hard work of our board. Thank you, Jessie, for your leadership of the board and the organization!

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
I can’t go a day without thanking my faithful parents.  Because of them, I was able to achieve my goal of being Miss Arkansas, and I was able to accomplish the task of taking on this job.  They have been by my side through every high and low. I can’t believe our journey together is almost over! Thank you, Mom and Dad! Additionally, I never want to miss a chance to thank Meredith Benton, Maegan Waldrip, Elton Ford, Lauren Colclassure, Leonette Bryant, Fonda Mann, and my precious princess, Asher Ray. I could go on for days, for I would never have reached my goal without the help of so many along the way.

Where can people follow you on social media post-reign?
Instagram: @maggie_benton.
Twitter: @benton_maggie.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you to each and every person who has followed my year and supported me along the way!