Jennifer Berry Profile

Jennifer Berry, Miss Oklahoma 2005, is a senior at The University of Oklahoma, majoring in Elementary Education. She is a member of the Student Oklahoma Education Association, recent Committee Board member of the University’s Think If You Drink alcohol education program and studies with the highly acclaimed University of Oklahoma School of Dance. In 2005, Jennifer was a guest performer with the Tulsa Opera along with five other School of Dance students. Jennifer received the University of Oklahoma’s Presidents Honor Roll in 2004 and 2005 and the Dean’s Honor Roll in 2002 and 2003.

In 2001, Jennifer graduated from Jenks High School. While in high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also active in Student Council and Key Club a community service organization and a member of the Varsity Pom Squad. Jennifer served as President of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America as a senior.

She began studying ballet at three years old and fell in love with the arts. At the age of nine, Jennifer began spending her summers studying ballet at such prestigious companies as The Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, The Peoria Ballet in Illinois and The Tulsa Ballet. She received a full summer scholarship to study with David Howard Dance Center out of New York beginning at the age of eleven.
When Jennifer was thirteen years old, she created a successful Summer Dance Workshop with two of her friends acquiring over one hundred students within three summers. Jennifer taught ballet throughout high school, instructing students from ages four to eighteen.

Jennifer’s love for dancing and interest in the Miss America Organization eventually led her to the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. In 2001, she received a non-finalist talent award when she was just seventeen years old. The following year, Jennifer was a Top Ten Semi-finalist and a preliminary swimsuit award winner. In 2003, Jennifer placed third runner-up and received a preliminary swimsuit award. In 2004 Jennifer received third place in the Kiwanis Club Community Service Award, preliminary interview award and once again placed third-runner up. After competing for five years, Jennifer captured the title competing as Miss Grand Lake. She took home preliminary swimsuit; talent and interview awards along with the first place Kiwanis Club Community Service Award.

At the adolescent age of fifteen, Jennifer lost a friend in an alcohol related accident. Knowing first hand, her demise could have been prevented, Jennifer was immediately motivated to save others from losing their lives to a senseless decision. She became an avid volunteer and spokesperson for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). When she was eighteen years old, Jennifer spoke to DUI offenders as part of their rehabilitation through the Victim’s Impact Panel. She is a member of Project Under 21 and served on the very first Student Committee Board for the University of Oklahoma’s Think If You Drink program. Jennifer spoke to hundreds of incoming college freshman regarding the dangers of alcohol. She has also spoken to hundreds of elementary age students regarding good decision making skills and creating healthy lifestyles.

Jennifer is the daughter of Tom and Kay Berry. She has one sister, Kim and a brother-in-law Josiah.