The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss Arkansas," is Tiffany Lee, Miss Ouachita Baptist University. Continue reading to learn more about Tiffany and her journey to the crown!

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Please share with our readers your  platform along with a brief description of what it is.
My platform is Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy. The goal of my platform is to make people aware of how important it is to drink water and keep their bodies hydrated. It is so easy for us to get dehydrated with our active and busy lifestyles. Dehydration is an often overlooked matter. With my platform, I want to encourage everyone to help their bodies and their health as simply as by drinking water.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
Miss OBU was actually my first pageant, unless you count Miss Saline County Fair 1998! (I was in a parade, it was pretty awesome being baby royalty lol) Upon entering into Miss OBU I didn’t understand how much you put into just one pageant. It has been such an incredible learning experience these last few months. There are so many respectable and successful women that have come from this pageant system. It has been amazing to talk to some of them and learn from them. I feel like I’m growing everyday and learning more about myself while holding this title. So far, I’m loving the pageant world and I can’t wait to keep learning more and more about it!

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
I found out my senior year of high school that I struggle with chronic dehydration. Because of this, I have seen how being dehydrated has affected my health over the last few years and how it can affect others. When choosing a platform, I wanted to pick something that was personal to me. And dehydration has been something that has been very near to my heart the last 2 years.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
It’s made me stronger in the fact that I have become more educated on dehydration. It’s also been so rewarding to go and speak about something that is so important to me. A few times after I have spoken people have come up to me saying they needed to hear that, or they don’t drink enough water. It’s very rewarding to know that you are making a difference and have people supporting you.

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?
Savannah and Savvy are the definition of having a servant’s heart. They are so dedicated and giving. No matter the time of day or event, or how worn out they are, joy radiates from them. They are such great role models to us all, while they represent our state and our country with such beauty and grace. I cannot imagine two better women to represent the state of Arkansas this past year. I would hope to make an impact and be a positive role model to girls in our state and our country just as they have done.

As a titleholder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
Be yourself. There is no one more beautiful than you! Also, follow your dreams. You can do anything if you set your mind to it!

If you were to win the title of Miss Arkansas, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
If I were to become Miss Arkansas, my main goal would be to make our state proud. Representing the diamond state would be such an honor. I would strive to be an encouragement to all those around me and always be ready to lend a helping hand. I would be ready to serve my state in whatever capacity and wherever I might be needed. To be Miss Arkansas, you represent the people of Arkansas. I would strive to do that to the best of my ability with poise and grace. My ultimate goal would be to make this state I am lucky enough to call home proud.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Arkansas; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
I would describe Arkansas as home. It’s a small, hospitable, southern state that I am proud to live in. When many people hear Arkansas they think there’s not much to do there. But, there is so much to do! I live in a state that allows me to create my own fun and have my own adventures. Whether it is going tubing on the lake, climbing pinnacle mountain, or going up to Fayetteville to support our razorbacks, or sitting in my dorm room, I’m always making memories. We are a proud state. We wear our red and call our hogs loud and proud no matter where we are.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
That’s a really tricky question! I think that’s hard to say because every woman is her own individual and has her own personality. For me personally, I would place a photo album with all of my favorite memories, a Bible, and my first pair of tap shoes. First, I would choose the photo album because all of those memories, family, and friends which made those pictures made me who I am today. Second, I would put a Bible in the capsule, because I would be absolutely nothing with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And third, my tap shoes. I would have to do my first pair of tap shoes because dance has been a huge part of my life. I started tapping at the age of 3 and have loved it ever since. Dance helped teach me the value of teamwork, encouragement, hard work, and determination. Without dance I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

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?
I’m not going to lie, going into my first pageant I did not know what to expect because media can make you see pageants in a negative light. Although I have only been involved with this organization for a few months, it is crazy to see how it works. Miss OBU was amazing. I was surrounded by such encouraging, hard-working girls. No matter the outcome, I knew we would all support and be happy for whoever won. The Miss America Organization cares so much about its girls. The amount of work or effort that goes into it is astounding. The scholarship opportunities are awesome and have helped so many girls. Personally, they really helped my family this last semester. For people who are not familiar with pageants, I would say…Just give it a chance. Meet the girls and look into the scholarships, because every girl is so unique and genuine. Pageants are nothing like you see in the movies.

The name of this magazine is Bravura.  “Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
I think one thing that makes me bravura is my love for people. I am a people person. I love to be around people and invest in them. I have a very loyal and genuine heart. I never want to let anyone down and I want to be an encouragement to all of those around me. I love to see the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Instagram: Tiffyluhu, Twitter: Tiffyluhu, and Facebook: Tiffany Rachel Lee.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
If you want to do it, go for it! I was so nervous going into my first pageant, but as soon as I got on stage it was all worth it. It is an absolute blast and you will love every minute of it!! Don’t be scared because you’ve got this!! Just be confident and be true to yourself!

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 believing in me and constantly pushing me to do my best. Y’all are a constant encouragement in my life and make me want to be a better person. I love you guys so much. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! I can’t imagine where I would be without y’all!

What final words, if any, do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thanks for taking the time to learn all about me! It is so crazy to me that people are actually reading about me in a magazine…like What!!! I am so thankful for this opportunity!! June 10 th could not come fast enough! I am beyond excited!!!