Miss Oklahoma 2004

Makenna Smith

Makenna Smith, Miss Oklahoma 2007, is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. While at OU, Makenna was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society and during the summer of 2005 studied abroad in Spain. After graduating from OU with distinction, Makenna has continued her education seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Oklahoma City University and was on the President’s Honor Roll for 2007.

During college, Makenna was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and served as an Executive Committee member in 2004 for the University of Oklahoma’s production of Scandals. Makenna served as a Senate Media intern for the Oklahoma State Senate during the 2005 session. She also interned as an Executive Assistant for the Oklahoma City All Sports Association and reported for the Oklahoma High School Sports Express television show.

In 2002, Makenna graduated from Oklahoma Christian School High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was active in student council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Honors Society. Makenna cheered on her high school cheerleading squad and held lead roles in all her high school musicals. She began studying voice and drama at eight-years-old and became involved with Oklahoma City’s Jewel Box theatre and Summerstock Productions. Continuing to perform to this day, Makenna has won a number of awards including Best Actress in 2005 for her performance as Maria in The Sound of Music.

Because of her love of performing, Makenna began competing in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant system during her senior year of high school in 2002 as Miss Oklahoma City. She returned in 2004 as Miss Route 66 winning a preliminary swimsuit award. In 2005, Makenna took home her second preliminary swimsuit award and non-finalist talent award as Miss Capitol City. In 2006, as Miss Queen of the West Makenna was awarded a Kiwanis Club of Tulsa Community Service award and was a top-ten finalist. After competing for 5 years, Makenna captured the title of Miss Oklahoma 2007 competing as Miss Oklahoma City University. She was awarded the Esther Scholarship, a new award in 2007 for encouraging others through personal hardship and difficulty.

As a survivor of a fatal car collision in 2003, Makenna has become an advocate for automobile safety through her program “Seat Belts Save Lives. What’s Holding You Back?” In 2004, she launched an area safety poster contest for elementary students through a partnership with AAA including classroom PASS lesson plans approved by State Superintendent of Education, Sandy Garrett. The poster contest now reaches every elementary school in Oklahoma. Makenna is certified through the Oklahoma Safe Kids Coalition on the proper method of buckling children in safety seats. In 2007, Makenna established www.SeatBeltLady.com to share her personal survival story and to further the message of seat belts and safety. In 2005 and 2006 Makenna worked with members of the Oklahoma Legislature to pass SB799 and strengthen penalties on drivers with improperly buckled children. She has continued to work to use her experience as an effective advocate for seat belt safety and a voice for protecting passengers on Oklahoma’s roadways.

Makenna is the 24-year-old daughter of Bruce and Nancy Smith. She has two younger brothers Kyle, who is 21, and Jeff who is 16.

Elizabeth Kinney, Miss Oklahoma 2004, is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Communications and a minor in Agricultural Economics. While at OSU, Elizabeth was a member of Student Alumni Board and President’s Posse, serving as an official spokesperson for President Schmidley and as an alumni liaison and university recruiter. Elizabeth graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was named an Outstanding Senior for the university and a Top 10 Senior in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She was on the President’s Honor Roll and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, President’s Leadership Council and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.

During college, Elizabeth was an active member of Chi Omega sorority, serving on the executive team as new member trainer in 2002. She was active with the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, winning three Oklahoma Broadcast Education Association awards. Elizabeth interned with KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City, working as an associate producer and reporting intern. She started her broadcast work at SUNUP, an agricultural news program on Oklahoma’s public television affiliate, where she was a producer, reporter, and substitute anchor. Elizabeth also interned with the Ladies Professional Golf Association in Daytona Beach, Florida and worked as a National Leadership Conference trainer for the National FFA Organization, speaking to students in five states.

In 2000, Elizabeth graduated from Mooreland High School in northwest Oklahoma with 26 students in her graduating class. She began studying tap, jazz, and ballet at three-years-old and performed regularly with Oklahoma Kids. In high school, she was active in cheerleading, 4-H, FCCLA, National Honor Society, and FFA. Elizabeth served as the State FFA Reporter in 2000-01 and represented Oklahoma at the National FFA Extemporaneous public speaking finals.

Through FFA Elizabeth developed a passion for public speaking that spurred her interest in pageants. This was her fourth attempt to become Miss Oklahoma. Elizabeth first entered the program in 2000 during her senior year of high school as Miss Northwest Passage. She returned in 2002 as Miss Collinsville, placing 4^th runner-up. In 2003 as Miss Northwest Passage, she was named a top-ten-finalist and preliminary interview winner. In 2004, Elizabeth won the title, competing as Miss Oklahoma State Fair, and took home preliminary swimsuit and talent awards.

Because of Elizabeth’s agricultural background and passion for education and nutrition, she began working with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and developed a program, “Hunger U.S.A.” She has worked with the Regional Food Bank’s Food 4 Kids Program, Balloon Fest and Derby Duck Dash, and Dine Out Help Out programs. She volunteered at a Kids Café afterschool mentoring and nutrition program, and she coordinated T.E.E.N. “Teaching Everyone to Eat Nutritiously” afterschool program in Stillwater. Elizabeth has delivered Meals on Wheels, served annually at her community Christmas dinner and coordinated community food drives.

In 2003, Elizabeth represented Oklahoma at the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. While there, she lobbied members of Congress for Child Nutrition Reauthorization Funding, a role she continues today. Elizabeth has used her broadcast experience to promote Hunger U.S.A. She produced a six-part series on biotechnology and produced a documentary, “Oklahoma’s Hidden Face of Hunger.”

During her year as Miss Oklahoma, Elizabeth hopes to produce a statewide media campaign addressing hunger. She will work with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to establish a public policy department. As she speaks throughout the state, she will share a message of developing proper nutrition, reaching personal excellence and overcoming obstacles.

Elizabeth is the 22-year-old daughter of John and Melinda Kinney. She has one sister, Jennica, who is 17.