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DURANT — The Miss Southeast Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant and presenting community sponsor, RNR Cross Family Foundation, crowned two new titleholders in October at Montgomery Auditorium on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Courtney Maye, a student at Oklahoma State University and graduate of Haworth High School, was crowned Miss Southeast Oklahoma and Hannah King, a student at Broken Bow High School, was crowned Miss Southeast Oklahoma Outstanding Teen.

Both young ladies have already begun preparation to compete in the upcoming Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen competitions to be held in Tulsa next June.

Courtney Maye, Miss Southeast Oklahoma, had the opportunity to impress the judges during her private interview, which focused on her platform Financial Literacy: Building the American Dream Team. She has been actively involved in Future Farmers of America and is the past Oklahoma state FFA President.

Her involvement landed her on the state champion dairy judging and livestock judging teams. She has numerous scholastic honors, including the National Ford Truck Scholarship and owns her owns her own production sheep, swine and cattle business. She performed a rhythmic twirling routine to You Can’t Stop the Beat. She is the daughter of Terry and Michele Maye of Haworth.

Hannah King, Miss Southeast Oklahoma Outstanding Teen, also impressed the judges during her private interview where she had the opportunity to discuss her platform, B.A.R.K.: Believing in Animal Rescue and Kare. Hannah is a member of Gifted and Talented; A, and A/B Honor Roll, Superintendent’s Honor Roll; National Honors Society. She is also an active member of Key Club and History Club. She is a junior at Broken Bow High School. She performed a clogging routine to T-R-O-U-B-L-E. She is the daughter of Dr. Bruce and Leslie King of Broken Bow, OK.

Runners-up to the Miss Southeast Oklahoma title were: Jenna Partain, McAlester, first runner-up; Chelsea Walker, Ada, second runner-up and Miss Talent Award. Runners-up to the Miss Southeast Oklahoma Outstanding Teen title were: Laine Weatherford, Broken Bow, first runner-up; Rheagan Jones, Durant, second runner-up and Teen Talent Award. Jenna Partain also received the Pageantry Spirit award given for her character and true spirit shown throughout the entire competition. Hannah King also received the Photogenic Award and Madison Yates, Ada, won the Crowd Pleaser Award.

The Miss Southeast Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant was able to award the new titleholders with more than $30,000 in college scholarships and awards, which will help them prepare for the state competition. The Miss Southeast Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant, now in its sixth year, is open to young women who reside or attend school South of I-40 and East of I-35. Teens can be 13 years of age, as of pageant date and no older than 17 or a junior in high school. Miss contestants must be 17 and a senior in high school and no older than 24 years of age. Contestants competed in interview, on-stage question, health and physical fitness, talent and evening gown.

Both Courtney and Hannah are available for speaking opportunities and are currently raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, the official national platform for the Miss America Organization. Individuals can donate on Courtney and Hannah’s behalf at www.missamerica4kids.org. Simply search for a contestant and select Oklahoma and type in their name.

For more information, or to have Miss Southeast Oklahoma and Miss Southeast Oklahoma Outstanding Teen at an event, contact Executive Director Tascha Bond at 580.775.2928 or tascha.bond@ yahoo.com.