Fisher Center Hosts Miss Tennessee Pageant

Belmont Vision Multimedia. (Zach Watkins)

After a week of preparation and competition, Makalyn Heaslett and Charlotte Witt, both representatives of Nashville, were crowned Miss Tennessee and Miss Tennessee Teen respectively.

The Fisher Center hosted the Miss Tennessee and Miss Tennessee Teen pageant for the second year in a row from June 18-20.

Heaslett received over $15,000 in scholarship money, a place in America’s 250 parade in Pennsylvania and the opportunity to represent the state in the national competition in September.

Before the Miss Tennessee competition officially kicked off on Thursday, the contestants spent the first half of the week attending events and preparing for the on-stage competitions.

The categories consisted of the private interview, the community service on-stage question, talent, evening gown and health and fitness.

During the evening gown category, the Miss Tennessee contestants walked with a Tennessee TriStar, a program that gives girls from the ages of 6-12 the opportunity to spend a week shadowing the contestants and learning the skills that come from the pageant world.

“There’s an opportunity of leadership. That’s what Miss Tennessee is,” said Ellison Sawyer, winner of Miss Belmont University, which was held in April.

The private interview was held before the official competition, but the remaining four events occurred on the Fisher stage.

During this interview, the judges learned about the contestants’ community service initiatives, which were then used to create the on-stage question later that week.

Heaslett used the opportunity to speak about Be Bold, Brave and Brilliant, an initiative where she pushes for stronger access to mentorships for young girls to build confidence.

On Saturday afternoon, the Miss Tennessee Teen wrapped up, with Miss Nashville, Charlotte Witt, receiving the crown.

Later that night, Miss Tennessee’s 45 contestants were narrowed down to 12 semifinalists, and then those 12 were narrowed down to five finalists.

To determine the winner, the finalists answered one last on-stage question.

While only one contestant can be crowned winner, the other 44 contestants were incredibly enthusiastic for Heaslett.

The pageant is set up as a competition, but it’s the kind that brings the contestants together rather than pitting themselves against one another.

“The crown and sash do matter, but there is a transformation these girls go through,” said Colene Trent, the executive director of Miss Tennessee.

Written by Trey Sullivan