Her platform: Project C.A.R.E. (Community Alliance for Reaching the Elderly), an organization dedicated to helping enhance the quality of life for elderly people through a variety of volunteer-based initiatives at the community level. The mission of the program is to establish community alliances that will promote interaction with the elderly and to raise awareness for elderly citizens living in unhealthy conditions or who simply have no family support.

Why she chose her platform: “As far back as I can remember, I’ve had compassion for the elderly. My heart is really in it. When I was five years old, a woman in church took an interest in me. She was in her 80s, and I never forgot the big impact she had on my life. Later I volunteered in nursing homes, playing the harp, which further developed my love for them. The elderly are very close to my heart.”

The responsibility of holding a pageant title: “You become a role model. As Miss Cleveland, I’ve visited every school in Cleveland and many in Chattanooga speaking to kids about character traits. You get all kinds of fun and silly questions (‘Is your crown real? Is there a Mr. Cleveland?’) and even a few marriage proposals, but these little kids look up to you. I take that very seriously.”

Addressing the criticism that pageants are just beauty contests: “It’s disheartening that people feel that way about it. People don’t realize how much hard work it is to be a titleholder. Pageantry teaches you so many life skills, like poise, confidence, and interviewing skills that you will carry over and use for the rest of your life.”

College: She’s finishing her last semester at Lee University. Reconsidering a career in telecommunications after interning at a local news station, she’s thinking about pursuing medical or pharmaceutical sales. Thanks to the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Organization, she expects to graduate debt-free in December.

Her family: “There are four in my immediate family, and I have a large extended family. About 25 of my relatives were in Jackson for the Miss Tennessee pageant, and it was a five-hour trip for some of them. It was such a stressful week that having a cheering section really made a difference. Family support is very important.”

The harp: “I’ve been playing for nine years. My cousin played the harp, my dad asked me if I’d like to play it, and then there was a harp in the living room one day. I started lessons, stuck to it, and loved it. The harp is challenging and fun and has kept me busy.” She began performing professionally at age 15. Visit her website at www.heavelystrings.com.

Her leisure activities: Reading (“Mysteries – I grew up reading Nancy Drew”), baking (“I can’t cook, but I love to bake”), going to the movies (“I like comedies and action movies. X-Men 3 is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time”), and spending time with friends. “Just what any twentysomething girl likes to do.”

How she describes herself: “A hard worker. I’m really dedicated to what I do. I like to have a good time, too. I’ve been told that I have a silly laugh. Some people love it, some people hate it, and when I start laughing, I can’t stop.”

Ansley Reagan Style: “I don’t try to be glamorous every day of the year – that would be exhausting – but I like to feel put together. That’s the way my mom is, and that’s the way I grew up. There are a lot of pageant girls who are tomboys, but I’m not one of them.”

Her favorite dessert: Chocolate Coca-Cola cake. “You can’t beat it.”

The best advice she ever received: “It sounds so cliché, but be yourself, and believe in yourself. Somebody has to do it. It might as well be you.”