This past October, I took the stage alongside several incredible women, competing in a variety of competition phases. Each candidate arrived on the fairgrounds early in the morning, and were welcomed with open arms by the pageant Director, Brenda Hughes, and the executive board. The Miss Tulsa State Fair team was so supportive and uplifting of each candidate, offering a complimentary breakfast, cheering each of us on throughout the show rehearsal, and surprising us with a sweet candy treat following our private interviews. Pageant day can be nerve-racking and chaotic, but this day was anything but that due to the generosity of so many volunteers.
The Miss Tulsa State Fair pageant has five phases of competition: a ten-minute private interview with the panel of judges, a 90-second talent performance, fitness, on-stage question, and evening gown. As a Senior Musical Theatre major and Broadcasting minor at Oklahoma City University, I chose to showcase my love for the arts by singing “The Phantom of the Opera” for the talent portion of the pageant. Additionally, I had so much fun sharing my passion for advocacy with the judges and audience, using my on-stage question as an opportunity to discuss the importance of inclusion and my social impact initiative “Be a Friend: Embracing our Differences.” More than a beauty pageant, this experience encouraged each candidate to feel empowered and embrace their authenticity. Not only was I given the opportunity to enhance my personal and professional skills, I was also gifted with beautiful friendships. Having two brothers, I was touched to be a part of such a supportive sisterhood. As the competition came to a close and each candidate lined up on stage for the awards ceremony, I remember looking around and feeling so honored to stand alongside such confident and kind women. My heart was beating so heavily with nerves and excitement that I almost didn’t hear my name called when the new Miss Tulsa State Fair was announced! Overcome with emotions, with happy tears streaming down my face, I stepped forward and was honored to receive a beautiful bouquet, official sash, and stunning crown! My family and friends erupted from their chairs in congratulatory cheers! The other candidates ran to give a group-hug to me, allowing me to share such a beautiful moment with them. There aren’t enough words to describe how special that moment felt.
Newly crowned, I then enjoyed the Tulsa State Fair alongside my family, pageant director, and Miss Tulsa State Fair’s Teen, Abigail Slate. From playing carnival games, eating everything on a stick, visiting and supporting pop-up booths of local businesses, and holding a new-born piglet, I had so much fun! It’s a tradition for each queen to kiss a pig, and I made sure to carry the legacy on! All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my afternoon. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity, as it has already given me so much. Riding in the Tulsa Christmas Parade, receiving a generous scholarship award to help support my education, and having the chance to represent such a wonderful city at Miss Oklahoma this summer, I couldn’t be more grateful for this title. I also look forward to an exciting year, where I’ll be volunteering with charitable organizations throughout Tulsa, collaborating with local businesses, visiting schools, and using my platform to promote inclusion and kindness! If you’d like to follow my journey to Miss Oklahoma and beyond, you can follow my instagram @misstulsastatefairok and @annamarie_wright. With a heart full of joy and gratitude, I can’t wait to see what the future will hold, as I serve as your Miss Tulsa State Fair 2025.
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