And the winner is…November 18, 2006 marked the date of a new chapter in two women’s lives.

On Saturday night UTM’s Fine Arts Building was host to two Scholarship Pageants: Miss UT Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival. Selena DeSantis was crowned Miss UT Martin and Kara Waddell was crowned Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival. The courts for both titles included First Maid Brittany Broach and Second Maid Lisa Sullivan in the Miss UT Martin pageant; First Maid Jeri Anthony and Second Maid Tara Martchek in the Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival pageant.

The evening began with an introduction of the contestants. In all, 14 girls came out in hopes of clinching the titles. After the hosts for the pageant, Valli Kugler Kelly, Miss Tennessee 2002, and Leah Beth Bolton, Tennessee’s Outstanding Teen, were brought to stage and the judges were announced and recognized. Seven judges were lined up ready to decide the outcome. Judges included Scotty W. Harris, Laura Ferguson Berryman, Angela Blair, Nancy Hicks Williams, DeDe Johnson, Laura Lessenberry, and William Mann.

After the introduction of the judges, the Lifestyle and Fitness Swimsuit Competition took place. All 14 participants strutted their way to glory in their swimsuits, showing the audience their body’s physical fitness. The Artistic Expression in Talent Competition followed the Lifestyle Competition. Talents ranged from artistic dance to singing to piano playing.

If the talent portion was not enough, the contestants then continued to wow and amaze the audience with the Evening Wear Competition. A variety of colors and styles filled the stage, expressing each contestants own fashion.

To end the evening, the On Stage Interviews took place. Each contestant was asked a question at random. Before the announcement of the top six finalists, heart spoken farewells were given by the previous reigning queens of both 2006 titles: Jennifer Roberts, Miss UT Martin and Holly Buchanan, Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival.

Anticipation grew as the top six finalists were introduced. They were in no particular order: Brittany Broach, Selena DeSantis, Kara Waddell, Tara Martchek, Jeri Anthony, and Lisa Sullivan. Finally the crowns were given to Kara Waddell and Selena DeSantis. DeSantis commented, “I am so honored to be Miss UTM. I hope to serve the campus and the City of Martin to the best of my ability.”

Other awards given were the Non-Finalist Talent Award to Holly Lane for her vocal performance of “When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues,” and the Non-Finalist Swimsuit Award to Rachel Zamata. Contestants in the 2007 Miss UT Martin and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageants included Torie Todd, a Freshman a Dyersburg State Community College, Meghan Johnson, a Senior at Munford High School, Tara Martchek, a Sophomore at the University of Memphis, Rachel Zamata, a current Law student, Brittany Broach, a Junior at UTM, Carrie Booker, a Freshman at UTM, Rachel Moore, a Junior at UTM, Glenda Mash, a Senior at UTM, Lisa Sullivan, a Senior at UTM, Selena DeSantis, a Senior at UTM, Kara Waddell, a Junior at UTM, Jeri Anthony, a Senior at Jackson State Community College, Holly Lane, a Junior at David Lipscomb University, and Shelby Cooper, a Senior at Jackson Christian School.

Queens Waddell and DeSantis both receive a $1500 scholarship, $200 Gift Certificate from Joann’s of Union City, an official crown, an official Miss America Crown Pin, and flowers. 1st Maids Anthony and Broach both receive a $500 scholarship and flowers. 2nd Maids Sullivan and Martchek both receive a $200 scholarship and flowers. Scholarships were funded by The University of Tennessee at Martin and the City of Martin.

Waddell began her reign by saying, “This has been the best and most overwhelming experience of my life. I plan to do so much in the community to help it grow and flourish. I especially look forward to working and taking a strong stand with my platform St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

DeSantis and Waddell will both go on to compete in the Miss Tennessee Pageant.