Chattanooga’s Blaire Pancake, newly-crowned Miss Tennessee 2006, was honored Sunday as Mayor Ron Littlefield proclaimed July 9 as Blaire Pancake Day in Chattanooga.

The honor was one of several bestowed on the 23-year-old who was recognized by a number of dignitaries during her homecoming celebration at Hamilton Place Mall in her first area appearance since winning the state pageant in Jackson last month.

Miss Pancake, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a degree in Anthropology, became the second area resident in four years to capture the coveted title which was accompanied by a $10,000 scholarship along with being the state’s representative at the 2007 Miss America Pageant.

The national event is undergoing yet another transformation this year with the preliminaries taking place in Los Angeles in September which will be aired on Country Music Television (CMT) in January preceding the finals to be held in a yet to be announced location. Viewers will select seven of the 15 finalists with the judges naming the remaining eight.

Miss Pancake, who is busy preparing for the national competition, was also honored by Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, who presented her with an Outstanding Citizen Award.

Representatives of her three alma maters also recognized her achievements. Pat Neuhoff, President of the Hamilton County chapter of the UT Alumni Association, noted that Miss Pancake is the first UTK graduate in 13 years to wear the state crown. He presented Miss Pancake with a membership to the Hamilton YMCA and a bouquet.

Robbie Robinson from the Baylor School gave the 2001 alumnus a duffel bag full of school merchandise while Bright School headmaster O.J. Morgan made an award presentation as well with assistance from current student Grace Brody who gave Miss Pancake another bouquet. Bright School is planting a rose bush in Blaire's honor.

Carla Snodgrass, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee (PCAT) gave her spokesperson a crystal globe in honor of her work with the organization. Ms. Pancake, who is the founder of the website Keep Tennessee Kids Safe (www.keeptnkidssafe.com) which is an information resource on child abuse and neglect prevention, will host an appropriately named pancake breakfast on August 19th at The Chattanoogan with the proceeds benefiting PCAT.

Miss Pancake, who is a member of the Chattanooga chapter of the Exchange Club, received an award from Bob Hunley who also presented a $1,500 check on her behalf to Dennis Norwood of the Children’s Advocacy Center from the Clips 4 Kids fundraiser she hosted on Easter weekend at the East Brainerd Splash salon.

Miss Pancake will be among the speakers later this year at the National Exchange Club convention in Orlando. Child abuse prevention is the national philanthropy of the Exchange Club.

Miss Pancake is the daughter of Dr. Bruce and Debbie Pancake. Dr. Pancake is a plastic surgeon and the owner of the Phoenix Center Spa and Debbie is a pharmacist. Blaire is the eldest of the Pancakes’ four daughters. Her sisters are Debbie Anne, an artist attending Chattanooga State, Brooke, who is an internationally ranked junior golfer and Allie, a cheerleader at Baylor.

In between Miss America preparations and throughout her year of service, Miss Pancake will be the Governor’s spokesperson for a Safe and Drug Free Tennessee as she embarks on a statewide schools tour speaking to thousands of students on making the right choices.

Blaire Pancake with eight month old Emma
- Photo2 by Wendy King