Dover’s chances to have one of its own win the title of Miss Arkansas 2005 have never been greater. Adrielle Churchill and Nona Dirksmeyer, both of Dover, will be competing this week in the 2005 Miss Arkansas Pageant at Summit Arena in the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Preliminary performances are scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, with the final performance Saturday night. Forty-two contestants are competing in the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Pageant, a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant System.
Contestants will compete in four phases of competition: private interview by a panel of judges Tuesday; presence and poise in evening wear and on-stage question Wednesday night; artistic expression in talent Thursday night; and lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit competition and casual wear Friday night.
Each contestant has a critical issue that will become her platform if chosen as Miss Arkansas.
Lacy Fleming of Hampton, Miss Arkansas 2004 and third-runner-up at last year’s Miss America Pageant, will crown the new Miss Arkansas following the conclusion of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. finals.
Local contestants include:

Adrielle Churchill, Miss White River 2004, is the 19-year-old daughter of Gary and Jennifer Churchill of Dover.
A native of Dover and a graduate of Dover High School, she attends college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Her critical issue platform is "Safe Kids: Preventing Childhood Injury" and her talent is a vocal performance of O Mio Babbino Caro. This is Adrielle’s third year to compete in the Miss Arkansas Pageant. Last year she placed in the top ten. Adrielle’s e-mail address is achurch@uark.edu.

Nona Dirksmeyer,, is Miss Petit Jean Valley 2005, is a native of Dover and is the 19-year-old daughter of Carol and Duane Dipert of Russellville.
She is a graduate of Dover High School and attends Arkansas Tech University.
Her critical issue platform is, "Break the Cycle — Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness." Her talent will be a vocal performance of Con Te Partiro. Her e-mail address is afireinside911@hotmail.com.
At the Saturday evening finals, the top ten contestants will be announced and will compete once again in all phases of competition.
The Miss America System is the largest provider of scholarship money for women in the world, presenting scholarship awards at the local, state and national levels.

Tickets are available by calling 1-501-321-1919 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Show your support for our contestants by sending cards, flowers and gifts at the Austin Hotel, c/o [contestant name-title], 305 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901.