Hometown Feel Keeps Miss Tennessee Pageant in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. – Thousands of people from all across the state are flocking to Jackson this week for the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant. It has been held in Jackson for more than 60 years, and city and pageant leaders said it is not surprising why. “The Jackson community supports it, and offers money to our foundation to provide scholarships for the young women, and right now we offer $80,000 in college scholarships to the girls,” said Jane Alderson, executive director for the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant. “Every girl that walks across the stages receives a minimum of $1,000.” Pageant organizers said Jackson is just the right size, and allows the pageant to take center stage. Plus, they said residents know how to do southern hospitality, with more than 200 local volunteers. “I have so many friends who open their homes, and offer meals to the judges,” Alderson said. “They have dinner for them or lunch for them, and it’s just a warm feeling and a warmth of the community.” Kellye Stokely came all the way from East Tennessee to support her daughter, Sarah, who is a contestant. Dozens of Sarah’s friends and family members made the trip too, even if it means making a six hour drive. “Cocke County has always been really big supporters of anything that people do, and they’ve always supported Sarah in all of her goals,” Stokely said. Mayor Jerry Gist said bringing in people like the Stokelys is great exposure for the Hub City. “It does a tremendous amount of good to have that national image and stage image of the Miss Tennessee pageant being in Jackson, Tennessee. That’s nationwide visibility. You can’t pay for that,” Gist said.
