Stefanie Wittler landed a full-time job Saturday night in Jackson as she became the first Miss Hamilton County in 27 years to win the Miss Tennessee Pageant. The 22-year-old senior Communications major at UT-Chattanooga was stunned when former Miss Tennessee Allison Alderson DeMarcus announced that the Soddy-Daisy resident was the 57th winner of the coveted title. She was in tears while her predecessor Ellen Carrington placed the tiara on her head as she became the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship along with becoming a state employee as the governor's spokesperson for A Safe and Drug Free Tennessee as well as advancing January's Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.

Along with Miss Wittler, two other area entrants placed in the top five with Miss City Lights Kayla Hockett named third runner-up followed by fourth runner-up Miss Metropolitan Kaley Schwab.

The three were among the preliminary winners earlier in the week. Miss Wittler was Wednesday's swimsuit winner with Miss Hockett receiving the same award on Friday at the same time Miss Schwab won her talent preliminary. Miss Scenic City Chandler Lawson was a top 10 finalist while Miss Cleveland Stacy Reigle, who won Thursday's swimsuit preliminary, was in the top 15. Miss Memphis Cyrena Wages was first runner-up and Miss Greene County Brooke Waddell was second runner-up.

In 1982, Desiree Daniels Disterdick became the first Miss Hamilton County to capture the Miss Tennessee crown and was the first runner-up at the Miss America Pageant. Ms. Disterdick was in the Carl Perkins Civic Center audience along with her daughters to witness Miss Wittler's triumph.

Chattanooga area entrants have now won six Miss Tennessee titles this decade including three of last four years. Miss Carrington, who is from Jackson, was Miss Scenic City when she won a year ago. Chattanooga's Blaire Pancake was the 2006 winner.

Miss Wittler is the second Soddy Daisy native to become Miss Tennessee in six years. In 2003, Jamie Watkins Davenport won the state crown.

Miss Wittler's victory adds to an already memorable year for the Soddy-Daisy community and for her alma mater Soddy-Daisy High School. The school's marching band will be among the participants in the 2010 Tournament of Roses parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena and like the event's theme A Cut above the Rest; Miss Wittler did the same in Jackson over 35 other applicants for the job of Miss Tennessee.

Miss Wittler will hold her first press conference as Miss Tennessee Sunday in Jackson. Plans for her Chattanooga homecoming will be made at a later date.

The newly crowned Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler of Soddy-Daisy with her predecessor Ellen Carrington shortly after winning the 2009 title Saturday night in Jackson. Miss Wittler becomes the second consecutive local entrant to win the state crown as Miss Carrington was the Miss Scenic City entrant a year ago. The UT-Chattanooga senior will be promoting both the Ronald McDonald House charities and Children's Miracle Network during her year of service.
- Photo2 by Wendy King