BROWNSVILLE, TENNESSEE – (March 3, 2019): Hatchie Fall Fest officials are pleased to announce a local contest that will give young women from across the state an opportunity to represent Haywood County at this year’s Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition in Knoxville, Tenn. Two crowns, Miss Brownsville and Miss Hatchie, will be awarded during the competition Saturday, March 23, 2 p.m., at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Center, 127 North Grand Ave.

“We have been given a unique opportunity to send two contestants to the Miss Tennessee pageant,” says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Hatchie Fall Fest spokesperson. “Crowning a Miss Hatchie and Miss Brownsville as a preliminary to Miss Tennessee is exciting and we have been very pleased with the number of those interested in the competition.”

Contestants from across the state will be allowed to compete for the open title of Miss Hatchie. The Miss Brownsville title will only be available to those living locally and in bordering counties. The competition is open to young women ages 17-25.

Outlaw-Clark also announced Reneé Miller will serve as the competition director. “We are very fortunate that one of our fall fest committee members is experienced in state and local pageants.” Miller has served more than 25 years as a competition judge, including nine years as a certified Tennessee pageant judge. She has also been involved in numerous state and local preliminaries and worked with Miss Walking Tall for five years.

“We are very pleased with the number of intelligent, ambitious and talented young women who are expressing interest in the competition,” said Miller. “With the number of outstanding contestants, it will be a challenging task for the judges to choose the next Miss Hatchie and Miss Brownsville.”

Contestants will compete in three phases of competition during the event including interview, talent and evening wear. During the competition, each contestant will also discuss her chosen platform, a social or community issue of concern to herself and our society at large.

The winners of the Miss Brownsville and Miss Hatchie competition will be awarded $500 in scholarship funds for her college or graduate school education. During her service, she will participate in community service activities and develop leadership skills as she travels across the region, speaking to government officials, business leaders, community groups and citizens about her platform issue and encouraging involvement. As a title holder, each will be eligible to compete for the Miss Tennessee title in June and the opportunity to advance to Miss America.

Brownsville’s competition will be held twice this year. “We will select representatives in March and again in October,” explains Miller. The March event allows for Brownsville representation in this year’s Miss Tennessee competition. The second pageant will follow on October 13 to coincide with the annual Hatchie Fall Fest. Winners of the October competition will represent Haywood County in the 2020 state competition.

Sponsorship packages for local and area businesses are available to help support these young women. For more information about this or to enter the competition, contact Miller at 731-610-9306 or [email protected].

About Miss America: The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually. The Miss America Organization is comprised of 52 licensed organizations, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Miss America contestants contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised millions for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007.