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Jayme Shriver click image to enlarge

By Rama Peroo
Cowley College

Cowley College sophomore Jayme Shriver remembers attending the Arkalalah Queen's Coronation as a small girl and dreaming of someday being on that stage.

"When I was little I used to go to coronation with my parents and say I want to be one of those girls," Shriver said.

She does not have to dream any more as she is one of the five finalists for Queen Alalah LXXV.

Crowning will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Robert Brown Theatre on Cowley's Arkansas City campus.

"I was hoping for it, but I was also surprised because there is only five girls picked out of over 200," Shriver said.

Shriver, the daughter of Mindi and Joe Shriver is majoring in accounting. Grandparents are, Jack and Carolyn Shriver, of Topeka, and Pete Peterson and the late Bobbie Peterson, of Great Bend.

Shriver has taken part in the Arkalalah parade numerous times. She began taking part in the parade as a young child as she would ride in her father's car in the parade. She then took part in the parade as a member of the middle school and high school band as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Her mother, Mindi, has worked at Cowley since 1990. So, coming to school at Cowley was not a difficult choice.

"I have grown up around Cowley," Shriver said.

At Cowley, Shriver is involved in Campus Christian Fellowship, Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Lambda, Student Ambassador, and is a member of the Cowley Crazies, that cheer on the Tiger athletic programs.

Away from her activities at Cowley, Shriver works as a teller at Home National Bank.

In high school, Shriver was on the honor roll all four years and participated in band, flags, track, and was the soccer manager for three years.

However, she feels she has grown significantly since coming to Cowley.

"I have opened up a lot more," Shriver said. "People don't care if you are yourself here."

Shriver has overcome a pair of tragic events in her life to become the person she is today. Three years ago, her friend Melinda Blenden passed away, while two years ago, her friend Jenna Chambers passed away.

"It's a tragic loss, it helped me realize you have to live every day like it is your last," Shriver said. "Faith is also a very big part of my life and I realize everything is going to be alright if you believe in God."

She likes to shop, listen to music and watch movies in her free time. Shriver plans to attend Oklahoma State University after graduating from Cowley.

After college she would like to work in a small accounting business.

"I want to be able to have time with my family and I think working in a small business would allow me to do that," Shriver said.

Her grandparents Jack and Carolyn come back from Topeka each year to take in the Arkalalah festivities and gather with family.

"My family is very proud and my grandparents are excited about it," Shriver said. "I think it will be fun, I'm not nervous about it. It's an honor."