Miss McMinnville, Outstanding Teen and Teen Princess 2017 titles were awarded Saturday in the annual event held at Warren County High School. Beauties from across the state competed for the prestigious titles with aspirations of winning state titles.
Shayla Sanderson, 22, is a resident of Clinton and has received a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from the University of Tennessee. She is currently working on her master’s in education from Lincoln Memorial University. She sang “Hallelujah” for her talent, and presented her platform on childhood obesity. She was also awarded best interview from the panel of judges. 
Others in the royal court are Yvannah Garcia, first runner-up, and Lara Ann Higgs, second runner-up. Fitness honors went to Cara Grace Donaldson, and People’s Choice was awarded to Brittani Davis. Morgan Munsey earned the Community Service Award, with a $250 scholarship awarded to the contestant that best represents the service part of the Miss American crown.
The Miss McMinnville  Outstanding Teen title was won by Rachel McFarling of Knoxville. She is a student at Gibbs High School, and her pageant platform is Reading Into the Future. For her talent she sang “This Is How a Dream Comes True” from “Shrek The Musical.” She was also awarded best interview.
Joining McFarling in the court are Mary Humphrey, first, and Kaelin Kinzer, second. McMinnville residents Kataen Shockley and Odaysha Ramirez won the fitness category and the Community Relations Award, respectively. Contestant Mary Humphrey was the People’s Choice winner.
Lewisburg resident Marti Sullivan was named Teen Princess. She was also awarded the fitness honor and People’s Choice. She is a senior at Marshall County High School where she is student body president. Sullivan’s platform is “beYOUtiful,” and she plans to speak to groups about eating disorders and the importance of loving yourself and others.
McMinnville native Haile Adams was honored with first runner-up and best interview. Contestant Reese Albright was second runner-up.
Making the award presentations were reigning royalty Miss McMinnville Peyton Wilson, Outstanding Teen Ashlynn Sparks and Teen Princess Corbin Hinson, who recently was named Miss Tennessee’s Teen Princess.  Miss Tennessee’s Outstanding Teen Leah Grace Humble was in attendance and performed a talent presentation. 
Four young ladies participated in the “Princesses in Training” program where they spent time during the day with the Miss McMinnville contestants, learned and presented a dance number during the pageant, and gave each Miss contestant an iris on stage. The girls were Christa Cowan, Stella Burks, Lanie George and Victoria Byars. 
The Miss Tennessee competition is held in June, with teen pageants in March. Susan Burks is the Miss McMinnville director.