Photo Copyright Jackson Sun

A contemporary folk song performed by Miss Memphis Cyrena Wages won the judges over during the opening of the 2009 Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant on Wednesday night at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

Wages, 18, won in the talent category for her vocal performance of "Up to the Mountain," a song inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech.

The pageant kicked off with 36 contestants competing in swimsuit, talent, evening wear and a group interview session at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. The winner of evening wear will not be announced until Saturday, the final night of competition.

Miss Hamilton County Stefanie Wittler won in the swimsuit category.

All the women who competed in swimsuit Wednesday wore two-pieces. During the talent portion of the competition, they performed classic and contemporary songs, including a few from musicals.

Miss Capital City Rebecca Rose Lofty, who was the first to compete in talent, was the only contestant who played the fiddle. Miss Cordova Katie Moynihan was the only contestant who danced. She performed a lyrical dance and sang for her talent.

One of the most important things that Jason and Melonely Powell told their daughter, Hannah-Wade Powell, is to be herself in the pageant. Hannah was in the top 10 in the pageant last year.

"She's her biggest competitor," Melonely said. "We told her she's not up against anyone but herself."

In a strapless turquoise dress, Hannah's voice soared while performing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for her talent.

"She picked that song herself," Jason said. "She's usually a country singer but decided to do something different this year."

Melonely said their daughter is prepared for the pageant mentally and physically. She won swimsuit honors during the preliminary competition last year.

Her parents and her grandmother, Lavon Phillips, came to support her in the pageant.

"She's our winner no matter what," Melonely said.

Daphne Snipes, mother of Moynihan, said the talent portion of the competition is her daughter's favorite.

"She's been taking lessons in dancing and singing since she was 3 years old," Snipes said. "She majored in theater arts, and she just loves being on stage."

Katie, who graduated from Pepperdine University in May, has about 20 relatives who came to Jackson to support her in the pageant. She was in the top 10 last year.

Mickey and Patti Mazzio listened to their daughter, Miss Middle Tennessee State University Nicole Lynn Mazzio, practice her talent many times. They said they felt excited and nervous about her being in the pageant for the first time. She competed in talent Wednesday.

"She picked a song and has kind of stuck with it," Patti said.

She and her husband wore pins with their daughter's photo on them. They also brought posters and paddles that had Nicole's picture on them.

Kristen Smith, executive director of the Miss Parsons Peavine pageant, came with posters to support her contestant, Ashley Beth Holmes.

"We are so excited," Smith said. "This is her first time competing in the state pageant and us having a Miss Parsons Peavine."

Holmes sang for her talent Wednesday. She's been preparing for the pageant with a vocal, fitness and nutrition coach, Smith said. She and her assistant directors, Amy Bawcum and Emily Ferguson, also have helped her prepare by giving her mock interviews.

"I think she's ready," Smith said. "She's put forth all the effort she needs to be here and compete."

- Ashley Anthony,
425-9631