Send-Off Party for 2026 Miss Northwestern Titleholders set for May 16

May 4, 2026

The 2026 Miss Northwestern Titleholders are Lauren Thomason, Miss Northwestern’s Teen (left); Hadleigh Dugger, Miss Northwestern’s Star (center); and Abbey Elam, Miss Northwestern (right). All three will represent Northwestern at the Miss Oklahoma competitions at Rose State Performing Arts Center in Midwest City, June 9-13.

ALVA, Okla. — A send-off celebration for Miss Northwestern Abbey Elam, Miss Northwestern’s Teen Lauren Thomason and Miss Northwestern’s Star Hadleigh Dugger is set for Saturday, May 16, from noon to 2 p.m. on the Daisy Village Patio at 506 Flynn St. in Alva.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to Daisy Village Boutique. The event is open to the public and will serve as a come-and-go gathering. Guests may drop in when they can and stay as long as they would like.

The celebration will give friends, family, and community members a chance to offer well-wishes to the 2026 titleholders as they prepare to compete in the Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma’s Teen competitions June 9-13 at the Rose State Performing Arts Center in Midwest City.

Abbey Elam of Woodward will compete in the Miss Oklahoma competition June 9-13 at the Rose State Performing Arts Center in Midwest City.

Elam, a sophomore media and communication major from Woodward is the daughter of John and Donna Elam. She will perform a vocal solo to “Fields of Gold” for her talent. Her community service initiative, “Small Victories,” highlights the importance of focusing on consistent, manageable habits and celebrating everyday progress over perfection.

Elam is contestant No. 24 in the Omega group. Her interview is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. She will compete in talent, and health and fitness on Wednesday, June 10, followed by on-stage question and evening gown on Thursday, June 11. Finals and crowning of the new Miss Oklahoma will take place Saturday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Lauren Thomason of Burlington will compete in the Miss Oklahoma's Teen competition June 9-13 at the Rose State Performing Arts Center in Midwest City.

Thomason, a Burlington native, is the daughter of Kevin and Angela Thomason. She will be a sophomore at Burlington High School during the upcoming school year. Her talent is a vocal performance of “The Girl in 14G.” Her community service initiative, “Confidence for Kids,” emphasizes the importance and power of instilling confidence in children.

Thomason is contestant No. 17 in the Omega group. Her interview will take place on Thursday, June 11. She will compete in on-stage question, health and fitness, evening gown and talent on Friday, June 12. The final competition and crowning of Miss Oklahoma’s Teen will be held Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m.

Dugger of Shattuck has been named Miss Northwestern’s Star 2026 and will join Elam and Thomason at the competition. She is the daughter of Dillon and TaKeyah Dugger.

Thirty-six women from across the state will compete in the Miss Oklahoma competition. Thirty-two teens will compete for the title of Miss Oklahoma’s Teen.

For more information about the send-off event and the Miss Oklahoma competition in June, contact Paige Fischer, Miss Northwestern director, at plfischer@nwosu.edu or 580-327-8533.

-NW-

Media Contact:
Sean J. Doherty, University Relations Specialist
Email: sjdoherty@nwosu.edu
Phone: (580) 327-8480