Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Paisley Rea, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Benton, Arkansas, was crowned the 2027 Miss Arkansas State University Wednesday night during the annual scholarship pageant at the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus.

Rea earned the title along with a $5,000 Arkansas State University scholarship and a prize package valued at more than $15,000. She also captured the talent competition award during the evening’s competition.

A member of the Arkansas State Red Wolves Dance Team, Chi Omega sorority, Campus Outreach and the A-State National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Rea will represent the university during her year of service and advance to the Miss Arkansas competition.

Her community service initiative, “MVP: My Value Is Permanent,” focuses on helping people recognize their self-worth and understand that their value is not determined by accomplishments, setbacks or personal challenges.

“I want to be Miss Arkansas State University because I strive to make a difference in the lives of others and be someone who inspires people to believe in themselves,” Rea said in her pre-pageant biography.

“Through my community service initiative, MVP: My Value Is Permanent, I hope to remind others that their worth is not defined by their accomplishments or the challenges they face. I know what it feels like to struggle and question yourself, and I want to be someone who reminds others that they are never alone in those moments.”

Rea, who is one of seven siblings, said she hopes to use her title to make a positive impact on campus and throughout the community.

“To me, being Miss A-State is about more than wearing a crown. It is about showing up for others, using my voice for something bigger than myself, and leaving people and places better than I found them.”

Kennedy Johnson named first runner-up

Kennedy Johnson, a junior nursing major from Batesville, Arkansas, was named first runner-up. Johnson also won the onstage question competition.

Johnson is a member of the Arkansas State Diamond Dolls and the university’s Honors College.

In her pageant biography, Johnson described Arkansas State as a “home away from home” and said she hopes to use her experiences at the university to promote health and wellness through community events and educational opportunities.

“A-State has been a critical factor in shaping the young woman that I am today,” Johnson said, adding that she wants to work with students, faculty and community members to strengthen the university and the community it serves.

Additional runners-up announced

Shawna Whitehurst, a junior strategic communications major from Jonesboro, was named second runner-up.

Whitehurst is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and the Student Philanthropy Council. As a Jonesboro native, she said the opportunity to represent Arkansas State carries special meaning because of her lifelong connection to the university.

“Being from Jonesboro, this university has always held a special place in my heart,” Whitehurst said. “Representing Arkansas State is not just about school pride but it’s about giving back to the place that helped shape who I am.”

Reese Carr, a freshman radiologic sciences major from Campbell, Missouri, was named third runner-up.

Carr has competed in pageants for more than a decade and is involved with the St. John Newman Center and campus spin classes. Her community service initiative, “#SeenNotMissed,” includes classroom outreach and education.

MaryBeth Olivia Penter, a junior radiologic sciences major from Trumann, was named fourth runner-up.

Penter is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Her community service initiative, “Letters of Hope,” draws on her personal experiences with dyslexia and focuses on encouraging others to believe in themselves despite the challenges they face.

“As someone who has personally experienced the struggles of dyslexia, I understand the importance of having someone believe in you, even when you struggle to believe in yourself,” Penter said.

A tradition spanning more than five decades

The Miss Arkansas State University pageant has been a longstanding campus tradition for 52 years, sponsored by the Delta Theta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, commonly known as Pike.

The annual scholarship competition recognizes student achievement, talent, communication skills, leadership and community service while providing educational opportunities for participants.

The fraternity’s commitment to the competition extends beyond the annual pageant. In 2025, Pi Kappa Alpha alumni and supporters established the $25,000 Pi Kappa Alpha/Miss Arkansas State University Endowed Scholarship through the Arkansas State University System Foundation.

The endowment was created to provide lasting scholarship support for students involved in the Miss Arkansas State University competition, recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service.

The pageant’s executive director is Ellie Stafford Smith, a Jonesboro native and former Miss Arkansas State University titleholder.

Smith was crowned Miss Arkansas State University 2019, winning both the Beth Damphousse Talent Award and the Kelly Damphousse Interview Award during her competition. She later held the title of Miss Northeast Arkansas and competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant.

A former Red Wolves dancer whose pageant talent included jazz and lyrical dance, Smith promoted community service through her “Live to Give” initiative during her years in competition.

2027 Miss Arkansas State University results

Miss Arkansas State University 2027: Paisley Rea — Benton, Arkansas

First runner-up: Kennedy Johnson — Batesville, Arkansas

Second runner-up: Shawna Whitehurst — Jonesboro, Arkansas

Third runner-up: Reese Carr — Campbell, Missouri

Fourth runner-up: MaryBeth Olivia Penter — Trumann, Arkansas

Special competition awards:

Talent competition winner: Paisley Rea

Onstage question competition winner: Kennedy Johnson

Rea begins her year as Miss Arkansas State University with a message centered on confidence, compassion and the belief that every individual has lasting value.

“Arkansas State has given me so many opportunities to grow and I would love the chance to give back to the university that has shaped me into the person I am today,” Rea said.