Lipscomb student named Miss Nashville
Chris Pepple |
Talent, determination and a good cause lead to scholarships
When Holly Lane, Lipscomb University junior, walked across the stage and accepted the title of Miss Nashville last month, she was after more than a crown. She knows the value of the scholarship offered by the pageants she has entered. Lane, both a mass communication and journalism major, competes for scholarships that may cover books or dorm expenses for a year or may eventually cover a year’s tuition. Lane also knows the value of the business experience she will receive as Miss Nashville.
“This is a job for a year,” Lane states. “I had to sign a contract for a minimum of 20 appearances on behalf of the pageant organization. It gives me valuable experience in my field. I am responsible for promoting the pageant and raising scholarship funds for future pageant winners.”
Lane keeps herself grounded in life outside of pageants. “A balance in your life is important for anyone,” Lane adds. “It’s important to be involved at your school and in your church or with a civic organization.” At Lipscomb, Lane stays involved through SGA and Phi Sigma.
Heidi Butler, Lipscomb senior and one of last year’s Miss Tennessee contestants, agrees with Lane on the value of the scholarships related to the pageant industry. Butler served as Miss Nashville 2005 and Miss Music City 2006. She will compete for the title of Miss Lexington/Henderson County later this month. “The scholarships are wonderful. It is nice to win enough to pay for your dorm room for a year,” she comments. “Once I graduate, scholarship money can be used to pay off any student loans I might have.”
Butler also enjoys the experience she receives toward her future career. “I am a family and consumer sciences major with concentrations in fashion merchandising and textiles and apparel.” Lipscomb prepares Butler for positions as a buyer, consultant, coordinator or manager of clothing-related businesses. The concentration in textiles and apparel prepares her for positions in related areas of apparel manufacturing, design and wardrobing. The pageant industry gives her invaluable experience and contacts in her field.
Working with the pageant industry runs in Butler’s family. “My mother worked with costuming for over 30 years,” she states. “This has always been a part of who we are as a family. I’ve been competing my whole life. I play the fiddle for my talent portion of the competition. I started that when I was 8 years old. I’m always the only fiddle player, but I go with it because it is unique.” Butler speaks on adoption awareness during the competitions. She has two sisters adopted from China and feels as if that cause is close to her heart.
“It is good to distinguish yourself,” Lane adds. “You have to let the judges see that you are an individual.” Lane performs as a vocalist for her portion. For her platform, she speaks about the dangers of smoking. She comments that although we now have a lot of information about the dangers of the habit, many people still choose to ignore the warnings. Lane’s grandmother died from complications related to emphysema in 2005. Lane knows the heartache of watching a family member suffer from the disease.
Holly Lane will have the chance to promote her platform and claim additional scholarship money from the Miss Tennessee pageant this June. Heidi Butler hopes to have the same opportunity. Pageants have a rich tradition of offering scholarships to young women. The Miss America program began offering scholarship funds in 1945. Both the Miss America and Miss Tennessee organizations continue to promote educational achievements and public service. With talent, determination and a good cause, these two Lipscomb students hope to cash in on their dreams.
—Chris Pepple