Mandy Hopper and Kayla Hockett were respectively crowned Miss UTM and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Saturday night at UTM’s Harriet Fulton Theatre.

Hopper and Hockett will go on to compete in the upcoming Miss Tennessee pageant.

Saturday night’s competitions also included Miss UT Martin Teen and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Teen. Sabree Danner and Lacie Trevathan won these titles respectively.

The 19 contestants in Miss UTM and Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival were judged in four categories: Interview, Lifestyle and Fitness in a Swimsuit, Artistic Expression and Presence and Poise in Evening Wear.

Valli Kugler Kelly, Miss Tennessee 2002 and former Miss UTM, and Brittany Broach, Miss Teen Tennessee Princess, narrated the event. The audience enjoyed special entertainment by Erica Jacobs, Maddie Littrell and Valli Kugler Kelly.

Special awards were presented just before the crowning. LaCrisha Burton was presented the Non-Finalist Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit award. The Non-Finalist Artistic Expression award was presented to Jackie Patterson for her rendition of the country classic “You’re Cheatin’ Heart.”

Jordan Cole was named first runner-up to Miss UTM and Miss Congeniality. Melinda Garret was named second-runner up.

Deanna Gardenhire was named first runner-up to Miss Soybean and Amy Robbins was named second runner-up. Members of the audience agreed that the show was great. “The judges had very hard decisions to make. All of the girls were very beautiful and unique. I’m sure that UTM and the surrounding areas will be very well-represented at the Miss Tennessee pageant,” said Sunni Ferguson, a UTM student from Trenton, Tenn.