MBA student to represent Tennessee in 2013 Miss America pageant
Sarah McGee |
Alum Trillion Small vying for Miss Tennessee USA 2014 this fall
When Americans tune in to watch the Miss America pageant this fall, they will see Lipscomb MBA student Shelby Thompson representing the state of Tennessee. Also this fall, Trillion Small, who received a master’s degree in professional counseling from Lipscomb in 2011, will vie to represent Tennessee in the Miss Tennessee USA 2014 pageant.
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| Shelby Thompson |
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| Trillion Small |
Thompson, who was crowned Miss Tennessee in June and will represent the state at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City this September, knows from experience that it takes more than physical beauty, a dazzling smile, and a thoughtful answer to a question to wear the crown.
When reflecting on being named Miss Tennessee, one thing Thompson made clear is that pageants are based on a lot more than beauty alone.
“The biggest part of holding the title is that the role of Miss Tennessee is actually a job,” said Thompson, of Brentwood, Tenn.
According to Thompson, perseverance and the love of her friends and community were major factors in helping to push the Lipscomb graduate student toward her goal of pursuing the title. She also followed in her mother, Eunice’s, footsteps and recognized that competing in pageants was a way to fund a college education. Along with the Miss Tennessee title, Thompson received a $13,000 scholarship and will compete for additional scholarship funds at the Miss America Pageant.
“This has been a dream that I realized because my mother had the opportunity to compete and kept pushing forward,” she said. “I was initially interested in the Miss Tennessee program because of the scholarship aspect, but then quickly found that all of the service opportunities that come along with the title were things that fit into my heart very well.”
Thompson is involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, having served as a national spokesperson for them and helping the organization raise more than $100,000. This year Thompson was also appointed an ambassador for character education by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
“It’s cool being able to share with people the hard work that we have to put into competing and breaking the stereotype of being beautiful,” Thomson said, who has an undergraduate degree in public relations from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. “There will always be someone more beautiful, but the most important thing is that you’re impacting your community with the title.”
Thompson wants those who are hoping to one day represent the state to remember that “although you have to put a lot of effort into yourself, it’s a selfless job.” As part of her role as Miss Tennessee, Thompson made more than 100 public appearances this past year and visited all five Children’s Miracle Hospitals in the state.
Like Thompson, Small is hoping to represent Tennessee — but in the 2014 Miss USA pageant. Small is in the process of pursuing the Miss Tennessee USA title.
Small, who has an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University, is new to the pageant world. She has competed in only two pageants, but says she has always been interested in modeling and acting. Just over a year ago her photographer suggested she compete for the title of Miss Tennessee USA.
“If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it big,” said Small, of Franklin, Tenn. “The main reason for submitting the application for the pageant was that I knew it would give me the opportunity to become a leader on a broader spectrum.”
Small will compete Oct. 3-5 for the title of Miss Tennessee USA 2014 at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. She said she is preparing to compete by focusing not only on her physical appearance, but also by glorifying God.
“My focus has shifted to my inner beauty,” Small said. “That’s what I want to portray to anybody who is watching. It’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s what radiates from the inside to the outside.”
Small, who is pursuing a career as a model and actress, is also writing a book scheduled to be published this fall.
The young woman chosen as Miss Tennessee USA 2014 will go on to represent the state of Tennessee in the 2014 Miss USA pageant, held next June in Florida. The winner of that pageant will represent the United States at the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant.