Noelle Zeller, junior nutrition and dietetics major

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Noelle Zeller, Westcliffe, Colorado, was chosen as Miss Hard Work U. in the College of the Ozarks 2020 Homecoming Coronation Ceremony on Nov. 5, 2020. This year’s theme was Hard Work U.: Your Time to Shine. Noelle is a junior nutrition and dietetics major.

“As Miss Hard Work U., I hope to take full advantage of the time the Lord has given me to influence and love others better,” Zeller said. “I get to remember who exactly it is I represent, and I am reminded why I love C of O. With the restrictions on campus this semester due to COVID-19, I have grown a deeper appreciation for the community here and for the faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond to make this semester work for us.”

Zeller’s court included first runner-up Hailey White, sophomore nursing major, of Marionville, Missouri. Second runner-up was Lauren Rhodes, senior child studies major, of Ozark, Missouri. Third runner-up was Ashley Mattingly, senior music ministries major, of Tuscola, Illinois. Fourth runner-up was Alyssa Goth, junior psychology major, of Clinton, Missouri.

Forty campus workstations participated in the nominations for Miss Hard Work U. Each of the 40 workstations nominated one candidate. Throughout the week of Oct. 12, votes by the student body decided the results of the top 10 candidates. The top 10 were then required to write an essay to determine who made it into the top five. Once the top five candidates were chosen, they were interviewed by a panel of judges at the Alumni Center. The essay and interview contributed to 50 percent of the cumulative score. The other 50 percent of the score was decided by the student body.

The top five candidates worked together as a group on Oct. 31 to sew masks for the students of Kirbyville Elementary in Kirbyville, Missouri. On Nov. 5, 2020, C of O crowned Miss Hard Work U. and her court based upon the previous culmination of scores and student votes.

For more information, contact Public Relations Director Valorie Coleman at (417) 690-2212.