1st runner-up 2013
A native of Sherwood, Helen Wisner was crowned Miss Arkansas USA on 12 January 2014 and represented Arkansas at the Miss USA 2014 pageant in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Helen married shortly after passing on her title and then tragically lost her husband, country singer Craig Strickland, in a boating accident less than a year later. She has since remarried and is an inspirational speaker and podcaster.
Miss Arkansas USA 2014 Helen Elizabeth Wisner is a speech teacher and assistant golf coach at Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Arkansas. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Arkansas in 2010. From the Fall of 2010 to the Spring of 2012, Helen worked on her masters degree. In the fall of 2011, she began teaching undergraduate communication classes per a Teaching Assistantship and tutoring for the University of Arkansas Athletic Department. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and part of the 2010 National Sprite Step Off winning team. Helen grew up in the North Little Rock area and graduated with honors in 2006 from North Pulaski High School. While growing up, she loved cheer leading, camping, acting, church activities, vacations, family activities, hanging out with friends and playing team sports. She was born in California and lived in Mesa, Arizona when she was adopted. Helen believes she is blessed beyond words to have been given this life.
The on-stage moments, the tension of the final two and the glory of the crowning, here are Helen’s state pageant photos.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
There’s nothing better than watching a contestant progress from year to year! Here’s a look back at Helen’s previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Helen’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Leah Blefko as Miss Arkansas USA 2015.
Winning a state title is a sisterhood for life. Here are Helen’s “after the crown” photos.
