From the softball diamond to the stage, from the jersey to the gown, Suzie Gresham has made the transition like a pro.
Suzie Gresham, a senior management and marketing major from Hope, Arkansas took the crown on Friday night in Jones Performing Arts Center. Along with earning the title of Miss OBU, Gresham has assumed many roles at Ouachita including her role as captain of the Ouachita softball team.
“Going from cleats to heels was a challenge, because sometimes I’d have a little dirt in between my toes when I was walking up and down the halls practicing,” Gresham laughed.
“Thankfully, playing softball here, I’m not having to do extra workouts. I’m a heavy believer in all meat, but not so much carbs. Watching my food intake was really important. Working on my platform was another thing. That was something new and having that with good interview skills is really important,” Gresham said.
Gresham is passionate about many different things, but her platform stands out among many of the other things that she has done. Her platform “First Aid First: Taking Initiative Gaurantees Emergency Response Sooner,” is abbreviated to TIGERS—something she loves to talk about often. Her platform is about helping others.
“The Miss America Organization seeks to empower others through education. What better way than to teach someone how to save a life? This insight to students could even spark a love for the medical field and create a desire to pursue a career in the sciences,” Gresham said. “I see so many youth in our community that find helping others and saving lives as an interesting opportunity.”
“As the titleholder, it would be an honor and a pleasure to lead not only the community in my hometown in this endeavor, but also our great state to becoming more knowledgeable in serving those in times of crisis,” She added.
Gresham’s platform stems from her experience with her family.
“Growing up in the medical industry with my family, it has opened my eyes to many opportunities to help others on different levels. I have always wanted to be able to lend a helping hand to others in their time of need and to be able to give back to our communities.”
After graduation from Ouachita, which she plans to do Cum Laude, she will be pursuing a law degree.
“Watching our family business grow and the industry continue to change has made me realize that my way of giving back to a company that has given so much to me is to protect them in the legal realm and has created a desire to pursue a law degree.”
Along with her pageant success, which has been most recently noted, Gresham doesn’t mind switching from heels to cleats. A senior on the softball team at Ouachita, Gresham was named captain this past year—in fact, it’s something she’s very passionate about.
“I have dedicated over 900 hours of practice time, spent 185 hours in a crowded van on the road traveling 11,525 miles and have played on the softball field representing OBU over 470 hours in three years,” Gresham commented.
Gresham has always been a woman on a mission. Among other things, she has been named to the Dean’s list four semesters and the president’s list another. She also made the Great American Conference All-Academic Team for her 2013-2014 year, and is a member of the Hickingbotham School of Business Student Advisory Board and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee at Ouachita.
“When I came out of JPAC afterwards, all of my teammates were in a circle and it felt like I should be jumping on home plate after a homerun,” Gresham said.
She’s had success in almost every endeavor, including serving as a page in the United States Senate.
“As a summer Senate Page in Washington, I was granted access to the 4th floor of the Capitol that most people don’t know about and very few have access to,” Gresham said.
So from one diamond to a host of diamonds, Gresham has balanced softball, professional work and pageants. She’ll begin her work for the Miss Arkansas pageant soon, representing Ouachita on the stage in Hot Springs. Until that time, she’ll enjoy some time in the spotlight as Miss Ouachita Baptist University.
“I doubt you’ll see a shortstop out there with a crown on her head, but you never know,” Gresham concluded.
