A Degree of Perseverance: How Olivia Halsey Conquered Law School and the Crown
Story by Felisha Weaver; Portrait by Larry Rhodes
When Olivia Halsey walks across the stage on May 17 to receive her J.D. from the William H. Bowen School of Law, it will mark the completion of a long-held dream. Just weeks earlier, she walked across another stage鈥攖his time to be crowned Miss Arkansas USA. For Olivia, both moments represent not just the end of one journey, but the beginning of another, proving that perseverance and purpose can open more than one door.
Growing up in Jonesboro, some of Halsey鈥檚 earliest memories center around law. Adopted at the age of four, she says she was inspired by her grandmother, Barbara Halsey, a Bowen alumna who spent 20 years practicing family law before being elected as a circuit court judge and later appointed as a Special Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. In eighth grade, Halsey decided she would follow in her grandmother鈥檚 footsteps and one day attend Bowen and practice family law.
But Halsey鈥檚 passion for public service began to take shape during her undergraduate years. She attended the University of Arkansas, where she earned a degree in political science with a minor in history. During that time, she became actively involved in politics, spending two years working on the election campaign of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
At Bowen, Halsey got involved early on in the Student Success Program, where she was selected by her peers as a Bowen Fellow during her second year (2L). The program, aimed at supporting the success of first-year (1L) students, gave Halsey the chance to develop leadership skills and she went on to be a Bowen Fellow Manager.
She also joined the Federalist Society, an organization that fosters critical thought and debate about conservative and libertarian principles in the law. As president, she helped the group earn Student Organization of the Year, and she traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Federalist Society鈥檚 Student Leadership Conference, where she made connections with students from across the country.
鈥淚t made me realize that Bowen really does want student success everywhere,鈥� Halsey says. 鈥淭hat was unique to see, and it made me appreciate the environment we have here.鈥�
But in the midst of her hard work and success in law school, another dream began to form. She experienced a personal transformation鈥攍osing 80 pounds with the support of a personal trainer who also happened to be a pageant coach. Last year, she decided to challenge herself and enter the Miss Arkansas USA pageant. To her surprise, she placed second runner-up鈥攁 rare achievement for a first-time competitor. The experience gave her a new sense of confidence and planted a seed of determination to come back even stronger.
When the opportunity to compete again this year presented itself, Halsey had to make a tough call. Taking the bar exam in July was a priority, and she wasn鈥檛 willing to risk delaying that milestone. Only after confirming that the Miss Arkansas USA competition wouldn鈥檛 conflict did she commit to entering. With that reassurance, she began preparing.
She had to balance the demands of law school, leadership roles, and her clerkship at the governor鈥檚 office with pageant preparation. Halsey prioritized the interview segment of the competition, as it had been her weakest area the year before. And, above all, she stayed focused on giving her best. The experience taught her that balancing dreams wasn鈥檛 about perfection鈥攊t was about persistence.
鈥淚 went in this year with a different mindset,鈥� Halsey says. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 competing with everyone else. I was competing to be my best, so it was more fun.鈥�
Faith played a central role in keeping Halsey grounded. Over the past three years, her commitment to her Christian faith had deepened, and she leaned on that foundation when stress levels peaked. 鈥淚 wouldn’t be here without Him, and the amount of peace and confidence that I felt during Miss Arkansas USA week鈥攖here’s just no other way to describe that鈥攊t was just a God thing,鈥� Halsey says.
Not only did Halsey win the crown, but she also earned the interview award, an especially meaningful recognition after focusing on improving her public speaking skills. She was also honored with the mentor award, voted on by the contestants of the Miss Teen Arkansas USA pageant, recognizing her positive influence and leadership.
Initially drawn to family law like her grandmother, Halsey鈥檚 career vision has evolved during her time at Bowen. Her leadership roles and her clerkship with the governor鈥檚 office gave her a new perspective on public service and government work. Now, Halsey hopes to continue working in public service after graduation, ideally with Governor Sanders鈥� office.
鈥淚 realized that my passion for helping others aligned more with public service and government work,鈥� Halsey says. 鈥淚t’s never the same thing鈥攊t鈥檚 always a new challenge, and that鈥檚 what I love about it.鈥�
As Miss Arkansas USA, Halsey plans to focus on her platform, Beyond the Ballot. A long-time volunteer, she was inspired to create this initiative after realizing that many of her peers didn鈥檛 feel they could make a difference. She hopes to encourage youth to engage in their communities through more than just voting.
鈥淲e are responsible for making our communities better,鈥� Halsey says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about promoting and focusing on volunteerism to build a better system.鈥�
Now, as she prepares for the next chapter, Halsey is focused on fulfilling her duties as Miss Arkansas USA, preparing for the bar exam, and getting ready for the Miss USA competition later this year. Whether she鈥檚 advocating for civic engagement or preparing for a career in public service, she remains driven by the same ambition and commitment that have shaped her journey so far.
鈥淚 want to inspire people to believe that it’s never too late to chase your dreams,鈥� Halsey says. 鈥淲hatever you want to do is achievable.鈥�