Five Cowley Students Vie for Title of Queen Alalah XCIV

Five Cowley College students, Five weeks of memories, community appearances and Arkalalah  traditions. In the end, only one will be crowned Queen Alalah XCIV.

Cowley College has announced the five finalists who will compete for the title during the 2026 Arkalalah celebration: 

• Edee Boatman (Dexter, KS)
• Carsen Carpenter (Derby, KS)
• Ashleigh Gray (Arkansas CIty, KS)
• Avery Smith (Girard, KS)
• Hailey Stanzel (Saint George, KS)

This year’s Arkalalah theme, “Salute to our Heroes,” provides a fitting backdrop for a celebration that honors the people whose service, sacrifice and contributions have helped shape their communities and country. Leading this year’s celebration as Grand Marshal is Sgt. Tyler A. Juden, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Sept. 12, 2009.

Before one of the five is crowned, however, the Queen Alalah finalists will have jam-packed schedules that take them beyond the Cowley College campus and into the Arkansas City community. They will meet with local service organizations, appear on two radio shows, participate in Chamber Coffee during Arkalalah week, take part in formal and themed photo shoots, attend Dodgeballalah and the Queens Tea, and participate in numerous other Arkalalah activities.

All of that happens while the finalists continue attending classes and managing their normal campus responsibilities and activities.

Becoming a Queen Alalah finalist is an accomplishment in itself. Candidates must be female, currently enrolled full time at Cowley College in at least 12 credit hours and be a sophomore with a minimum of 31 cumulative credit hours. They must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, have not previously received a degree, never have been married, have no children and have not previously been selected as a Queen Alalah finalist.

After five weeks of appearances, activities and community involvement, the decision will ultimately be placed in the hands of those attending Coronation.

The Queen Alalah XCIV Coronation will take place Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Each person attending will receive one ballot per ticket purchased. During the Coronation, attendees will cast their votes, after which the ballots will be collected and tallied. The winner and first runner-up will be announced at the conclusion of the evening.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Arkalalah Headquarters at the Arkansas City Chamber of Commerce or at the door the night of Coronation.

For the five finalists, Coronation will be the culmination of weeks spent representing Cowley College, connecting with the community and taking part in one of Arkansas City’s most recognizable traditions. For one of them, it will also be the moment she is crowned Queen Alalah XCIV.

The Queen Alalah coronation is one of the longest standing Arkalalah traditions. It brings together Cowley College, the Arkansas City community, area organizations and visitors each fall for a week filled with events and opportunities to celebrate the community.

Soon, five finalists will walk onto the stage—but only one will leave as Queen Alalah XCIV.

For a complete list of Arkalalah activities, visit the official Arkalalah website.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu