CLARKSVILLE, TN – Emily Suttle, Miss Franklin, was crowned Miss Tennessee USA Saturday at Austin Peay State University. McKinley Farese, Miss Memphis, was crowned Miss Tennessee Teen USA.
The new titleholders and the runners-up received numerous prizes and scholarships. Both Miss Tennessee USA and Miss Tennessee Teen USA will have the opportunity to represent Tennessee at the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants in 2022.
Miss Southern TN Caroline Rose Coleman reacts to being named to the top 15 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Teen Memphis McKinley Farese joins the other young ladies named to the top 15 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Music City Natalie Anderson reacts to being named to the top 15 of the Miss TN Teen USA pageant finals at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss TN Teen USA contestants take a pose after they are named to the Top 15 of the pageant finals at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis Teen McKinley Farese participates in the pageant finals’ activewear competition at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss TN Teen USA 2021 Annie Zhao shows the crowd her state costume that she wore in the Miss Teen USA pageant in Tulsa, Okla. last fall at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis Teen McKinley Farese at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Aria Willis, 12, came with her mom Conchetta Willis, to the preliminary competition, and attended the finals with a friend. Ms. Willis wanted to show Aria possibilities for her future. Having just moved here 3 years ago from Mississippi the ladies were rooting for Miss Shelby County at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis Teen McKinley Farese at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Teen Kendall Raye Kuczek at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Marble City Teen Blye Allen and Miss Franklin Teen Kendall Raye Kuczek at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis Teen McKinley Farese answers her interview question during the pageant finals at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. The interview itself is not scored but gives the judges the opportunity to see the contestants and make final decisions on their placement in the pageant. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Sumner County Teen Christian Ann Higdon was named Miss Congeniality at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Marble City Teen Blye Allen was named most photogenic at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Shelby County Teen Kiala Hampton was named the People’s Choice contestant at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Annie Zhao, Miss Tn Teen 2021, waves good-bye to her year as Miss Tn Teen USA at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis Teen McKinley Farese and Miss Music City Teen Natalie Anderson await the announcement of the first runner up and Miss TN Teen USA at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Memphis McKinley Farese reacts as she realizes she was just named Miss TN Teen USA at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Annie Zhao crowns McKinley Farese Miss TN Teen USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
McKinley Farese, Miss TN Teen USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Teen Kendall Raye Kuczek wipes a tear from the face of Miss TN Teen USA McKinley Farese after her crowning at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
McKinley Farese Miss TN Teen USA 2022, is congratulated by the other finalists after being crowned and taking her first walk as Miss TN Teen USA at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Tn Teen McKinley Farese, center, Miss Franklin Kendall Raye Kuczek, third runner up, left, Miss Music City Natalie Anderson, first runner up, Miss Marble City Blye Allen, Second Runner up, and Miss McMinnville Grace Sparkman, fourth-runner up at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Rounding out the top five finalists among the 32 contestants in the Miss Tennessee pageant were first runner up Miss Knoxville Emma Conn, second runner up Miss Heart of Nashville Regan Ringler, third runner up Miss Greenfield Macy Garner, and fourth runner up Miss Downtown Nashville Elise Stein.
The outgoing Miss Tennessee USA, Elizabeth Graham Pistole, is a Nashville fitness instructor at two local barre studios. She is also continuing her education by pursuing a master’s degree in marketing with a concentration of social media strategies online at the University of Alabama.
Pistole was driven to pursue a master’s degree so that she could have the knowledge to grow and develop her nonprofit, The Dancing Divas and Dudes. The Dancing Divas and Dudes is a dance team for individuals with special needs and was inspired by her sister, Natalie, who has Down Syndrome. Pistole started Divas and Dudes at 14 years old and has grown it by over 600% over the past seven years. Pistole knows the difficulties and obstacles that accompany enacting change. This has driven her to want to utilize her year as Miss Tennessee USA to be a resource and inspiration to young adults who want to make a difference.
Elizabeth Graham Pistole and Annie Zhao (Miss TN USA and Miss TN Teen Usa 2021) greet the audience at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Emily Suttle introduces herself at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Montgomery County Jaida Saunders introduces herself at the finals of the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Mistresses of ceremony Lynnette Cole and Allee Sutton-Heathcoat begin the finals by announcing the top 15 for each division at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Scenic City Kaylan Colvin and Miss Shelbyville Hailey Puckett congratulate each other on being named to the top 15 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Greater Nashville Lauren Parker joins the other ladies chosen to the top 15 contestants at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Emily Suttle reacts to being named to the top 15 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Emily Suttle participates in the pageant finals’ swimsuit competition at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Kimberly Greenwood reflects on the 30th anniversary of being asked to join the Miss TN USA organization at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Kent Parham, production coordinator and choreographer for the Greenwood Team, was recognized by Executive Director and Producer Kimberly Greenwood for his contributions for the past 29 years at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Yvonne Moore and Lori Butler, contestant supervisors for the Greenwood Team, were recognized by Executive Director and Producer Kimberly Greenwood for their contributions for the past 29 years at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss TN USA 2021 Elizabeth Graham Pistole shows the crowd the state costume she wore in the Miss USA pageant in Tulsa, Okla. last fall. at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Montgomery County at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Emily Suttle is named to the Top 5 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Knoxville Emma Conn reacts to being named to the Top 5 with Miss Franklin Emily Suttle at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Heart of Nashville Regan Ringler answers her interview question during the finals at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Rutherford County Pearl Clarkin was named Miss Congeniality at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss TN Valley Paiton Patterson was named most photogenic at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Shelbyville Hailey Puckett is awarded the People’s Choice award at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Kimberly Greenwood wipes a tear from the eye of Miss TN USA 2021, Elizabeth Graham Pistole at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Elizabeth Graham Pistole waves good-bye to her year as Miss TN USA at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Heart of Nashville Regan Ringler, Miss Franklin Emily Suttle and Miss Knoxville Emma Conn await the naming of second runner up at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss Franklin Emily Suttle and Miss Knoxville Emma Conn await the naming of the first runner up and Miss TN USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Annie Zhao and Elizabeth Graham Pistole crown Emily Suttle Miss TN USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Emily Suttle Miss TN USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Emily Suttle Miss TN USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
The Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Miss TN USA 2022 Emily Suttle, center, Miss Greenfield Macy Garner, third runner up, left, Miss Knoxville Emma Conn, first runner up, Miss Heart of Nashville Regan Ringler, second runner up and Miss Downtown Nashville Elise Stein at the Miss Tennessee USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Emily Suttle Miss TN USA 2022 runs to hug McKinley Farese Miss TN Teen USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Emily Suttle Miss TN USA 2022 and McKinley Farese Miss TN Teen USA 2022 at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant on March 12, 2022. (Alicia Archuleta)
Other finalists among the 28 contestants in the Miss Tennessee Teen competition included first runner up Miss Music City Natalie Anderson, second runner up Miss Marble City Blye Allen, third runner up Miss Franklin Kendall Raye Kuczen, and fourth runner up Miss McMinnville Grace Sparkman.
Outgoing Miss Tennessee Teen USA Annie Zhao is a high school senior and the first Asian titleholder in Tennessee USA system history. Annie wants to become a leader in medicine as an OBGYN and advance healthcare for women and children through a more matured lens of womanhood. Incredibly fascinated by science, she has interviewed, shadowed, and assisted doctors and scientists since middle school! On her voyage to becoming a healthcare professional, she has won several science competitions, conducted environmental health research with the University of Memphis, and edited genes through CRISPR-CAS9 with the University of Tennessee.
MORE: Miss Tennessee USA pageant kicks off in Clarksville for 21st year
Annie is also passionate in community service, music, and journalism. She enjoys helping her community and spreading joy in any way she can. Whether that is through direct volunteering or creating music on her violin, she has devoted over 400 hours to the people around her. You can catch her playing in symphonies, leading music groups, or practicing a variety of repertoire in her free time.
As a strong advocate for childhood literacy and racial injustice, Annie has committed to impacting as many people around her as possible. Having struggled with literacy as a child, she is determined to mitigate the obstacles she had experienced for others. Annie has instructed English to students in and outside of the US since she was 14. Advancing from learning basic English out of TV shows and books as a child to making the highest possible scores on testing or winning at every Model United Nations conference she has attended, Annie has grown to become an English and public speaking enthusiast. One of her most important events was the deliverance of the Stop Asian Hate speech regarding racism to hundreds of Tennesseans. She hopes her message representing AAPI youth made a difference in changing hearts and minds.
Judging the 2022 event were Season XV American Idol Trent Harmon, Head of Programming and Development for Reach TV Networks Holly Firfer, U.S. Government Senior Special Agent Derrick LeBlanc, CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment Britney Ruby Miller, and former Miss Texas Scholarship Organization Director Gregg McCoy.
The Miss Tennessee USA pageants, under the direction of Greenwood Productions, Inc., are affiliated with the Miss Universe organization and have been hosted in Clarksville since 1999. Information about all delegates can be found at www.misstennesseeusa.com.
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