by Wendy King
posted June 21, 2009
) Photo by Wendy King (L:R): 3rd runner-up Miss City Lights Kayla Hockett, 1st runner-up Miss Memphis Cyrena Wages, Miss Tennessee 2009 & Miss Hamilton County Stefanie Wittler, 2nd runner-up Miss Greene County Brooke Waddell and 4th runner-up Miss Metropolitan Kaley Schwab gather following the conclusion of the state pageant Saturday night in Jackson. Miss Wittler is the second consecutive area entrant and the third in four years to win the state title. The Soddy-Daisy resident received a $10,000 scholarship and will represent the state at the 2010 Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas. She is just the second Miss Hamilton County to become Miss Tennessee behind 1982 winner Desiree Daniels, who went on to become the first runner-up at Miss America. |
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.
 Photo by Wendy King 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. |
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