While the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant started years before, it moved to Jackson in 1953 with the help of Jack Smythe, President of the Jackson Jaycees Civic Club. His vision created a pageant that startedwith 22 contestants, $20 franchise fees, and no scholarships into an incredible community event that welcomes almost 40 contestants each year and awards over $90,000 in scholarships annually.
The Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant was first held at Jackson HighSchool (later, Jackson Central-Merry High School) from 1953-1954 and quickly outgrew the venue. After 17 years at Rothrock Stadium and anadditional 13 years at the Jackson Coliseum (later the Oman Arena), the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant settled into its permanent home atthe Carl Perkins Civic Center in 1986.
"Larger cities have so much going on it's hard for events like this thrive. Jackson and Madison County have embraced the Miss Tennessee
Scholarship Pageant and it is part of the community," said Jerry Alford, Historian of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant.
"The Miss Tennessee Pageant is a great revenue source for the City as it brings tourists from all over the state to Jackson for an entire week. The Pageant brings statewide attention to our city and, with our streaming service, we are seen worldwide," said Jimmy Exum, Commissioner onthe CEDC Board and President of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant.
Held in late June or early July of each year, the Miss TennesseeScholarship Pageant brings over $2 million in tourism dollars duringpageant week and the Jackson-Madison County Community Economic Development Commission recognizes that the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant is the largest economic driver for the City of Jackson.
To learn more about the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant, visit www.misstennessee.org.
