Miss Tennessee USA pageant winners crowned in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The 2016 Miss Tennessee USA and Miss Tennessee Teen USA winners were crowned Saturday at Austin Peay State University’s Mabry Concert Hall.

Miss Tennessee USA 2016 is Miss Upper Cumberland Hope Stephens.

The finalists for Miss Tennessee USA 2016 were 1st Runer-up – Miss West Tennessee Erin Hatley; 2nd Runner-up – Miss Greater Nashville Sara Cardona; 3rd Runner-up – Miss Nashville Kaileigh Bullard; and 4th Runner-up – Miss Williamson County Alexandra Harper.

Early in the evening, Miss Greater Nashville Savannah Chrisley was named 2016 Miss Tennessee Teen USA.

The finalists in the Miss Tennessee Teen were: 1st Runner-up Miss Clarksville Hope Parker; 2nd Runner-up – Miss Murfreesboro Samantha Havenstrite; 3rd Runner-up – Miss Maury County Corbin Hinson; and 4th Runner-up – Miss Unite Elise Stein.

Chrisley is one of the stars of USA Networks’ Chrisley Knows Best. She recently moved to Tennessee to begin her college career and is currently a freshman at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

The festivities restarted at 7:30 p.m. as a field of 45 contestants took the stage to see who would win the crown and title of 2016 Miss Tennessee USA. The format was the same, the judges were the same. The contestants were quickly narrowed to a group of 15 finalists, which came after two days of competing before and interviewing with this year’s esteemed judges. After the swimsuit and evening gown rounds the final five were announced.

The top 15 finalists in each group competed in swimsuits and evening gowns. After a 15 minute break for the judges to deliberate, the final five were named and then given a chance to answer randomly selected questions from the judges.

The Miss Tennessee Teen competition was first. The full field of contestants took the stage in a variety of stunning gowns that seemed to represent all the colors of the rainbow. The stage was elegantly appointed, with ever-changing colored lights in constant motion, setting a mood. A lively mix of music from Haley Steinfeld, Taylor Swift and Omi captured the excitement in the room, which was felt by the contestants and audience alike.

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Greenwood Productions always puts on a fantastic show, and this year was no exception. Kim Greenwood has assembled a top-notch staff that always finds the top talent and prepares them to represent Tennessee well in the Miss USA competition. Tennessee has finished at or near the top in 16 of the 23 years since Greenwood, a former Miss Tennessee, has been involved in the Miss USA Pageant.

The five finalists were asked questions on subjects ranging from the influence of social media to their thoughts on what their personal sense of style says about them. All the contestants delivered thoughtful answers and then it was time for everyone to hear the judges’ decisions.

The entire field of contestants came back onto the stage as the runners-up and winner were announced.