Newman senior Alexis Smith crowned Miss Wichita

Not only is Alexis Smith a senior at Newman University, she’s also Miss Wichita 2023.

Smith transferred to Newman University as a nursing student and chose the field because of her desire to help others. Ultimately, that inspiration comes from her mom.

“My passion for nursing comes from my belief that my purpose is to serve others. Nursing is a career path that allows us to continuously grow and evolve, as the medical field is continuously changing. Being able to apply this education to support the lives and vulnerability of others is rewarding,” Smith said.

Smith is a volunteer for the Wichita Family Crisis Center. She helped raise more than $15,000 for survivors and their children during a wine tasting event hosted by Jamie Schmaltz to raise money for the Wichita Family Crisis Center. (Courtesy photo) — Smith is a volunteer for the Wichita Family Crisis Center. She helped raise more than $15,000 for survivors and their children during a wine-tasting event hosted by Jamie Schmaltz to raise money for the center. (Courtesy photo)

She said she would like to thank her professors because as she continues through the program they supply her with knowledge and personal stories from their own practices that have significantly helped her progress.

Nursing is a career path that allows us to continuously grow and evolve, as the medical field is continuously changing. Being able to apply this education to support the lives and vulnerability of others is rewarding.
Alexis Smith, senior at Newman University

Now that Smith is Miss Wichita, she will spend time in the community sharing her social impact initiative and building relationships to bring social change into the community. Her social impact initiative is advocating for victims of intimate partner violence.

“It stems from my own personal experience with teen dating violence that has transitioned into my current adulthood. I also have several family and friends that have been victimized. Now having been in the position of the victim and the bystander and becoming aware of the prevalence of this issue across the nation, I recognize that everyone needs awareness and educational knowledge on preventive action and resources,” Smith said.

Get to know Miss Wichita

Growing up, Smith was a cheerleader. She even had the opportunity to cheer at both Kansas State University and Fort Hays State University.

“Now that I am no longer on a team, I like to continue participating in tumbling for fun. I also enjoy volunteering as a cheerleading coach and [doing] yoga,” Smith said.

Alexis Smith, Newman University senior and Miss Wichita 2023 (Courtesy photo)

She said her favorite food is seafood, particularly her grandpa’s catfish.

Smith also is a ventriloquist and plans to use this talent for the talent phase of the Miss Kansas competition.

“I use two puppets to sing and perform songs. I will be utilizing my ventriloquism among our youth to help teach about developing healthy relationships,” Smith said.

Smith uses puppets to sing, perform songs and teach youth about healthy relationships. (Courtesy photo)

Smith says ultimately her dream job is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become Miss America.

“This is a leadership position that would allow me to travel across the nation to represent my social impact initiative and inform others of the Miss America Organization. I can only imagine the impact that I could have on others, while also having a strong impact from the individual people I would meet,” Smith said.

Now that she is Miss Wichita, it has opened the door for her to compete for the job of Miss Kansas in June. She will graduate from Newman in May 2023.

If you would like to follow Smith’s journey as Miss Wichita as well as her activism for victims of intimate partner violence, follow her social media.

Facebook: Alexis Smith – Miss Wichita 2023
Instagram: lexlex_smith

Nursing scholarships at Newman University

With the many scholarships, grants, work-study and company tuition assistance programs available, the cost of a degree from Newman University is comparable to that of state universities.

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