News/On 2007-06-01/Tennessee International Pageants Announce Event

Phil Frazer, Executive Director for the Tennessee International Pageants announced recently that the pageant to select the 2008 Mrs.& Miss Teen Tennessee International will be held on October 21, 2007 at the Cookeville Drama Center. Recording star and Grand Ole Opry Member Jan Howard will be hosting/emceeing the event.

According to Frazer, “I am excited about the opportunity to bring this pageant to the city of Cookeville. After searching for just the right place, Cookeville had the best accessibility, accommodations as well as dining for the dates needed. It is also very centrally located to host a statewide pageant.”

The current title holders, Nevelyn Burns (Mrs. Tennessee International 2007) and Jaclyn Torrento (Miss Teen Tennessee International 2007) will be competing for their respective national titles in Chicago in July.

Nevelyn uses her title to promote awareness of fire prevention. Her interest in this field stemmed from the tragic loss of a friend when she was in elementary school because of a preventable fire. She served as a volunteer firefighter at Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company in Fairplay, Maryland, and later went on to become President of the Student Fire Safety Commission at Penn State. She was invited to attend the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to participate in a prevention pilot program for volunteers. She received her undergraduate degree and her commission into the United States Army in 2002.

She has served as a UH-60 BLACKHAWK helicopter pilot, logistics officer, and operations officer. Additionally, she was a member of the 2005 United States Army Soldier Show and has toured across the United States, Korea, and Japan entertaining. Nevelyn served as her unit’s fire prevention officer and has published her work in the Army’s safety publication, COUNTERMEASURE.

Jaclyn’s involvement with the 4-H program in her county has inspired her to promote the Six Pillars of Character: "Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness, Trustworthiness, and Citizenship" during her year of service. As a 4-H member and volunteer she visits elementary school classrooms, childcare centers and libraries teaching and training young people about leadership, public speaking skills and volunteering within their school and community.

Active within in her church, Jaclyn has been an altar server for the past four years. Within her community, her service includes serving as a Cheer Coach at the Junior Pro Cheer summer camp program, June Dairy Month 4-H Chairperson, Relay for Life, Appalachian Service Project, Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes and United Ministries Christmas Candy for Kids. As a member of her high school varsity cheer team she has cheered the walkers of the Music City Marathon, Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and the American Heart Association Walk.

Please make plans to attend the pageant in Cookeville and cheer on your local candidates. It should prove to be an exciting and entertaining event.

Mrs. & Miss Teen Tennessee International is still accepting applications for the October pageant. For more information on how to apply as well as attendance information, please visit www.tncrowns.com.