“I am thrilled! I have been waiting this day for my whole life!”

Junior Maddy Oakley screamed with her hands covering her face while jumping around the living room. Her excitement matched the excitement on the television in front of her as the 2016-2017 Miss America was announced to the world. Savvy Shields, priorly Miss Arkansas, was crowned on the evening of September 13. The state echoed the excitement of Shield’s win through tweets, parties, and in Oakley’s case, acting as excited as Shields herself.

“Savvy is so worthy of winning and has worked so hard. She is real, genuine, and so kind. She loves Jesus and others well and it shows in all she does,” Oakley said.

Lately, Arkansas pride has spread across Twitter as Shields winning represents what people from Arkansas can accomplish. Shields lives in Fayetteville and attends the University of Arkansas, which connects her close to home as she also attended Fellowship Bible Church and graduated from Fayetteville High.

“When someone wins something for Arkansas, it feels like we are all winning. We get to watch someone represent Arkansas well and break the negative stereotypes associated with Arkansas,” Oakley said.

Arkansas pride also comes in the form of screaming at Razorback football games. The start of the undefeated season has many hoping the 2016 season will repeat the one in 1964, the last time Arkansas won Miss America and also won the National Championship. This hopeful spirit inspires junior Hayden Couch, who is trying to enjoy the Razorback winning streak so far.

“It is a pretty good scenario that we have to start this year. I don’t know how long it will really last, but I’m trying to enjoy it. I feel pretty confident that if they keep playing the way they are playing, we could go for a run,” Couch said.

Couch supports the University of Arkansas more than just on the field. The history of the school and what the program stands for, excellence created on the field, but also off the field academically, makes it more than just a sports team.

“People should support Arkansas football because the Razorbacks stand for what this state has. We don’t have any professional teams, so this is something we could rally behind and turn into something positive,” Couch said.

Even with the gaining Arkansas spirit, there are still some drawbacks to living in the Natural State.

“I don’t like the various negative stereotypes that come with living in Arkansas,” senior Trinity Truitt said.

Stereotypes that include marrying your cousin, not wearing shoes, or not being educated are some of the stereotypes that other Americans frequently use to describe Arkansans.

“I don’t like how the people in Arkansas can be ignorant or bull headed,” sophomore Dayson Stevens said.

But even with these drawbacks, all can agree that living in Arkansas is something that one can take pride in. From Couch remembering what if felt like to cheer on the Razorbacks at the Liberty Bowl after going on a 3-9 season, or Stevens getting to know the tight knit and supportive community around him, supporting the local community is something that comes naturally, and is something that is not hard to do.

“I definitely think people should take pride in their state. It’s where we live and where a lot of us grow up. The more we invest in our state, the more we can get out of it,” said Oakley.

Maddy Oakley, Junior

1. How did it make you feel when Savvy won miss america?

I was thrilled! She is so worthy of winning and has worked so hard!

1. What was your favorite quality about Savvy that made her deserve the crown?

Savvy is real, genuine, and so kind. She loves Jesus and others well and it shows in all that she does.

1. Why do you think that when our state wins at things it makes it special?

When someone wins something for Arkansas, it feels like winning. We get to watch someone represent Arkansas well and break the negative stereotypes associated with Arkansas.

1. What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

A few of my favorite things about Arkansas would have to be the scenery and the community! Our community is supportive and proud and so refreshing. The scenery is so beautiful and it’s an awesome place to hike, hammock, and enjoy spending time outside.

1. If you could change one thing about Arkansas what would it be?

More options when it comes to concerts, restaurants, and stores. We have some awesome ones, but I’d love to see a Cheesecake factory, Urban outfitters, or to see vance joy perform.

1. Do you think people should take pride in their state why or why not?

I definitely think people should take pride in their state! It’s where we live and where a lot of us grow up. The more we invest in our state, the more we get out of it.

Hayden Couch, Junior

1. How do you feel about Arkansas being undefeated so far?

I think it’s a pretty good scenario that we have getting to start this way. Pretty confident  that if we keep playing the way we are we could go for a run. But yeah, I am enjoying it.

1. What makes Arkansas football mean so much?

The history that goes behind Arkansas and what it stands for on and off the field. It promotes excellence on the field and academically.

1. Why do you think it is important to support Arkansas football?

Because the razorbacks stand for what the state has we don’t have professional teams so we could rally behind this and turn it into something positive.

1. What is your favorite part about Arkansas football season? (Explain a time or moment that you remember)

Probably the tailgating while getting to meet new people

I always have always been an arkansas fan be when we went to the liberty bowl on a 3-9 season  or when we beat number 2 kentucky in basketball.

1. What is your favorite thing about living in Arkansas?

That is not crowded with people and there is still a lot of land and you are spaced out but connected.

Trinity Truitt, Senior

Trinity Truitt, Senior

1. What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

How you get to experience every season.

2.) What is your least favorite thing about Arkansas?

I don’t like the various negative stereotypes that come with living in Arkansas.

3.) Can you tell me what these are/describe them?

I have had friends that have left the state and been asked why they are wearing shoes. When you are asked if you marry your cousin and things like that.

4.) What is your favorite thing to do in Arkansas?

Enjoy the seasons and scenery outdoors.

Dayson Stevens, Sophomore

1. What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?

The people. The tight knit community and support system is something you can’t find most places.

2.) What is your least favorite thing about Arkansas?

The people. I don’t like how in Arkansas people can be ignorant and bull headed.

3.) What do you like to do in Arkansas?

Explore. Get to know new people and places.

4.) Why do you live in Arkansas?

Because I am forced.