Miss Hard Work U. and her court. (L-R): Second runner-up, Kandice Riley; fourth runner-up, Emily Brown, Miss Hard Work U, Mikayla Nix; third runner-up, Lindy Fraker and first runner-up, Emily Braden.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Mikayla Nix, of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, was chosen as Miss Hard Work U. in the College of the Ozarks 2019 Homecoming Coronation Ceremony on Oct. 31, 2019. This year’s theme was Hard Work U.: Stay True.

Her court included first runner-up, Emily Braden, senior public relations and business administration double major, of Sikeston, Missouri. Second runner-up was Kandice Riley, sophomore public relations major, of Rogersville, Missouri. Third runner-up and Miss Congeniality was Lindy Fraker, junior child studies major, of Strafford, Missouri. Fourth runner-up was Emily Brown, senior elementary education major, of Branson, Missouri.

Fourteen C of O student clubs and organizations nominated candidates for Miss Hard Work U. The candidates worked together as a group, along with students from Hollister Star School, on a project to set up lockers filled with inspirational pictures and writing, gifts, and helpful items so that young girls will receive assistance with clothes and personal items.

Votes by the student body and one-on-one interviews went into a cumulative assessment of the top 10 candidates. A panel of judges selected the top five, based on their graded essays and overall stage presence. These candidates answered onstage questions during the Coronation Ceremony. The judges crowned Miss Hard Work U. and her court based upon the previous culmination of scores and the impromptu Q & A.