Commercial Appeal, January 5, 2006

Collierville Edition

By Brittney Card
Special to Collierville Appeal

My name is Brittney Card and I was recently crowned the first Miss Teen Memphis. I had a wonderful experience getting ready for and competing in this scholarship program. I had intended on competing in the Miss Collierville Pageant in January and only decided to enter Miss Memphis as a practice pageant.

However, I found out that I had a conflict with the date Miss Collierville was held so I would not be able to compete in it so it was a good thing I entered Miss Memphis. Prior to the pageant I was coached for several months by Jeni Stephens Thompson. She showed me how to walk while on stage and even set up a mock interview. I also worked with my piano teacher, Lisa Fehrs, to perfect my talent. I chose to perform a piece entitled "Curious Story" by Stephen Heller. Final preparations for the pageant included renting a dress for the evening wear portion and getting my hair just right.

The day of the pageant finally came and I eagerly arrived at the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center. I was anxious to meet my fellow contestants. Soon everyone had checked in and we became acquainted with one another while waiting for our time to rehearse our talent. I was able to meet not only the other teens but also all of the "Miss" (ages 17-24) contestants as well. They proved to be just as kind and friendly as the teens. I went on to rehearse and then prepared for my interview. I wasn't as nervous as I had anticipated and went into the interview confidently. The interview went extremely well and the judges were very friendly and easy to talk to. I came out of the interview relieved the hardest part of the competition was over and looking forward to that evening. After everyone had completed their interview we met onstage for a brief run-through of the pageant.

Prior to the pageant starting we were asked by Shay Bader-Wallace, the pageant director, to vote on Miss Congeniality and to write down an onstage question.

Deciding on who to vote for was extremely difficult since I had talked extensively to my competitors and they were both very friendly and congenial. Soon the pageant was ready to begin.

I was so excited standing backstage I could barely keep it all inside as we waited to walk onstage for casual wear. After casual wear my fellow teens and I answered our onstage questions and the Misses followed. We hurriedly slipped into our swimsuits and returned backstage to begin the swimwear competition.

As the talent portion grew nearer my nerves became worse. I was more nervous about playing the piano than I had been about my interview and I wasn't sure why. After playing my piece smoothly I was so thankful to have the talent portion out of the way. Only evening wear was left. As we all quickly changed into our dresses I noticed how friendly and helpful everyone remained even through the hectic wardrobe changes and nerves. It was this aspect that makes me want to continue competing in pageants because I saw firsthand the way my competitors displayed good sportsmanship throughout the entire pageant.

After we modeled our beautiful dresses it was time to announce the awards and winners. The other girls and I thought this moment would never come; the evening seemed as though it took all day. Standing on the stage, my heart was racing as we all anxiously awaited the results.

First a few special awards were announced. I won Miss Congeniality, Outstanding Interview and Fan Favorite.

I was so thrilled but afraid if they called my name for any other awards the other contestant would kick me off the stage! After a few other awards had been granted it was time to announce the winners. I held hands with my fellow teens and couldn't wait to hear the results. Heather Staggs was called for second runnerup, leaving me and Hallie Phillips impatient and hopeful. In those final moments Hallie and I wished one another good luck and squeezed each other's hands tighter -- this was it! I held my breath as if the first runnerup's name would never be called.

Then the emcee called Hallie as first runnerup, leaving me as the winner!

It is hard to put into words how I felt. There were so many emotions running through me at that moment. My legs shook uncontrollably as I knelt down and was crowned Miss Teen Memphis 2006. After April Lancaster had been crowned Miss Memphis 2006, the winners and the finalists remained onstage as we had our pictures taken with the judges and other important people.

After leaving the pageant, my family and I went out and celebrated. Of course, I wore my crown and sash.

Well, as far as prizes go I ended up with several certificates, my crown and sash, a Miss Congeniality plaque and $200, $50 for outstanding interview, $75 for fan favorite, $250 toward a new gown from Debbrah's of Kentucky, free teeth whitening for the upcoming pageant by Dr. Frieden, fitness training from Ric Taylor, $100 from Hi Gorgeous Inc., coaching from Jeni Stephens Thompson, a $50 cash scholarship, and a $1,500 scholarship to John Robert Powers.

I am looking forward to competing in the 2006 Miss Tennessee Outstanding Teen Pageant in Jackson on March 11. I have already begun preparing as I have picked out a new piano piece and bought my evening wear dress. I cannot wait for March 11 to arrive.

I hope to attend many pageants in the future. I also look forward to speaking about my platform which is promoting the welfare of animals. It is an issue that I hold very near and dear to my heart and I can't wait to educate the public about how important it is.

I am so thankful to have won the title of Miss Teen Memphis 2006. However, without several people helping me along the way it never would have been possible. I would like to thank my mother, Brenda Card, for everything she has done for me-and she has done everything, believe me! Without her driving me everywhere I needed to go, questioning me about current events, my platform, and interview questions, and without her checkbook most of all, I wouldn't have been able to be a part of the Miss Memphis pageant.

She gave me the confidence and poise needed to be successful in whatever endeavor I pursue and I don't thank her enough for that.

I would also like to thank my father, Doug Card, and sisters Cathy, Kristin, Chasity and Shawnna for attending the pageant to root me on and always supporting me in whatever I do.

I would like to thank my wonderful, miraculous piano teacher Ms. Lisa Fehrs for working with me so hard to perfect my piano piece.

I would also like to give a huge thanks to my amazing hero, Jeni Stephens Thompson, because without the countless hours of strenuous training and the intense drilling about my platform, current events, and interview fact sheet I would have been clueless.

Well, this has been my experience with the 2006 Miss Memphis Pageant, my first pageant ever, and it was amazing! I can't wait for the next pageant in March.

This isn't the last you have heard from me.