Miss Southeast Tennessee Jessica Heim, 4th runner-up, Ansley Reagan, Miss Chattanooga, 3rd runner-up and 2nd runner up Lindsey Tapper, Miss Capital City are shown moments after the conclusion of the Miss Tennessee Pageant in Jackson Saturday night. Miss Heim won a $5,000 scholarship, Miss Reagan was awarded $6,000 and Miss Tapper will receive a $7,000 grant. Click to enlarge.
photo by Wendy King
Three Chattanooga area contestants finished in the top five in the Miss Tennessee pageant, but Tara Burns, Miss Music City, was the winner.
Jessica Wheeler, Miss Mid South, was first runnerup in the competition held in Jackson on Saturday night.
Lindsay Tapper, a Chattanoogan who was entered as Miss Capital City, was second runnerup.
Miss Chattanooga, Ansley Reagan, finished as third runnerup.
Jessica Heim, Miss Southeast Tennessee, was fourth runnerup.
Another local contestant, Lindsay Moffett, Miss Scenic City, was in the top 10.
Vanderbilt senior Tara Burns smiles minutes after being selected Miss Tennessee 2005 in Jackson Saturday night. Miss Burns, 21, of Birmingham, was a double preliminary winner earlier in the week with victories in the talent and swimsuit categories. The former Miss Music City performed the aria "Art is Calling For Me" and wants to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She will become an employee of the state of Tennessee as Governor Phil Bredesen's spokesperson for a Drug Free Tennessee and representing the Department of Education as an advocate for the Character Education program. Miss Burns will spend the next year visiting schools throughout the state promoting both programs. She will also represent Tennessee at the Miss America Pageant.
photo by Wendy King