Micki Konecny, my dance teacher and former Miss Arkansas, often jokes about how I would cry before every dance lesson at the age of three. Thankfully, mom never pulled me out of dance class because it quickly became my passion! I loved competing on the Studio Allegro dance team and was honored to receive the title "soloist" for nine consecutive years after garnering the highest points during dance team try outs. Mrs. Micki was also my first boss once I eagerly joined the staff as office manager and assistant dance teacher. The years I spent in the dance studio and with Mrs. Micki are precious memories!
After graduating from Stuttgart High School, I attended Ouachita Baptist University in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, trustworthy friends, and countless fun memories. I have been blessed during the years spent at Ouachita! I am so thankful for the blessings of Godly friendships and sincere guidance from professors. After four years of lab work, green initiative research, and 5-hour chemistry tests, I can confidently say that I am prepared from the next step. I am thrilled to be attending the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy. Yes, you may call me Dr. Glover as I enter the challenging field of clinical pharmacy after 5 years of study!
Serving as Tiger Tunes Director for Tri Chi Women's Social Club was the greatest leadership position I have ever held. Tiger Tunes is a performance competition that has become a Ouachita homecoming tradition to raise over $60,000 in scholarships for fellow students. In fulfilling the role of club Tiger Tunes director, I designed a theme and corresponding costume, lyrics and choreography, organized 96 hours of practice, and motivated 60 girls to work hard. By serving in this large capacity, I grew to love my social club sisters even more. I also learned a lot about flexibility and motivation, even when I may be emotionally and physically drained. I was so proud of the "Tri Chi White House Secretaries" and our third place finish! We also received awards in costume, musicality, and won overall crowd favorite!
This summer, I have the incredible opportunity to represent Ouachita Baptist University in the Miss Arkansas pageant. This will be my third attempt to capture the crown, a journey that has been full of blessings! After competing as a sophomore in college, I took a hiatus and served at the Promise House as a mentor for pregnant teenagers. I returned to the Miss Arkansas pageant as a senior in college after winning the seventh preliminary pageant since last competing on the state level. It was a character-defining journey but perseverance paid off! At the 2010 state competition, I was named Friday night preliminary winner and third runner-up to Miss Arkansas, Alyse Eady! I was awarded $8,000 in scholarship funds, which completed payment for my senior year tuition costs. I still have a portion saved for Pharmacy School! Also, competing in Miss Arkansas has given me an incredible bank of interview skills, public speaking opportunities, passion for my platform, and other life skills that will benefit me beyond the Miss Arkansas stage. I believe that I have an accurate testimony of how the Miss America Organization is dedicated to providing scholarships and opportunities to young women across the nation!
My family and friends have been the constant source of encouragement, honesty, and love through the struggles and successes. My boyfriend, Josh Groves, has guided me with unconditional love and wisdom... even since he has moved to Rwanda, Africa to work with a non-profit organiztation, Bridge2Rwanda. To all of you... thank you!
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." -Philippians 1:6
This verse speaks volumes about the purpose God has given us. I know that I have been created for "good work" or work that brings glory to God. Whether my "good work" will be work as the next Miss Arkansas, a clinical pharmacist, mentor, wife, or mother... I can be confident that every day of my life is purposeful for the sake of Christ. I desire to fulfill that purposeful life as a devoted follower of Christ, no matter what my "good work" involves!
