Little Rock, Arkansas – As anticipation builds across the state, Miss South Arkansas Chloe Hargis is preparing for the next step in her pageant journey, stepping onto the stage of the 2026 Miss Arkansas Pageant set for Saturday, June 13. For Hargis, the competition is not only about performance and poise, but also about a message she has been working to share in her community.
Her platform, Community Service Initiative “Arts and SMARTS,” focuses on something she says is often overlooked in rural areas—access to performing arts education. Hargis has been using her role to highlight how arts programs can shape confidence, creativity, and opportunity for students who may not otherwise have exposure to theater, dance, or music training.
In many rural schools, she explains, resources for arts education can be limited or inconsistent. That gap, she believes, is where programs like hers can make a difference. Through outreach and advocacy, she hopes to encourage more schools and communities to invest in creative learning opportunities alongside traditional academics.
On stage, Hargis will bring a high-energy talent performance, tap dancing to “Maestro Medley.” The routine is expected to showcase both technical skill and stage presence, blending rhythm and precision in a performance that reflects hours of preparation.
But her interests extend beyond the pageant world. Hargis is also a student-athlete, competing on the University of Arkansas at Monticello Trap Shooting Team. The balance between athletics, academics, and performance, she says, has shaped her discipline and time management skills in unexpected ways.
She also has a lighter claim to fame—an unusual personal fact that often surprises people she meets: she can recite her ABCs backwards. It is a small detail, but one that reflects her playful personality alongside her competitive drive.
As the pageant approaches, Hargis joins a group of contestants from across the state who will compete in multiple categories, each bringing their own platform, talent, and story to the stage. The event, held annually, serves as a showcase for leadership, service, and personal achievement among young women in Arkansas.
More information about the competition and contestants is available through Miss Arkansas Organization at MissArkansas.org.
For Hargis, however, the focus remains steady. Whether she is on stage performing, advocating for arts education, or competing in athletics, she continues to center her message on opportunity—especially for students in rural communities who may be waiting for their own chance to step into the spotlight.
