Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Reese Worthington, a freshman accounting major from Bonne Terre, Missouri, was crowned the 51st Miss Arkansas State University Wednesday night. Worthington was crowned by the 2025 Miss Arkansas State University, Brooke Ray.
Worthington is the daughter of Robin and Jennifer Worthington. She performed a self-choreographed lyrical dance to “At Last” by Etta James. Worthington is a member of the Red Wolf Dancers. Her community service initiative, “Safe Bites,” aims to raise awareness, increase empathy and advocate for practical accommodations for individuals with food allergies.
First runner-up was Mary Beth Olivia Penter, a sophomore radiologic science major from Trumann. Second runner-up was Shawna Whitehurst, sophomore strategic communications major from Jonesboro. Third runner-up was Paisley Rea, sophomore communications disorder major. Fourth runner-up was Veronika Jergenson, senior business administration major.
Tessa Yielding was the talent award winner. The on-stage conversation award was presented to Rea. Rea also won the social media promotions award. Alexia Loudermilk received the Miss Congeniality award. Penter was presented the People’s Choice award.
Worthington will compete in the 2026 Miss Arkansas pageant in June. For winning Miss Arkansas State Worthington receives a package valued at over $15,000 including a $5,000 tuition scholarship.
“The Miss Arkansas State University pageant is one of the largest Miss Arkansas preliminary pageants, if not the largest, in the state as for as audience size,” said Ellie Smith, pageant executive director. “It’s an honor watching these young women step out of their comfort zone, get on stage and do what they did tonight, some for the first time.”
There were 14 contestants in the competition which was held at the ASU Fowler Center. The Miss Arkansas State University pageant is presented by the Delta Theta Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. The fraternity has sponsored the pageant since its inception in 1975.
