On being named Miss Hamilton County: "I didn't expect to win, but I got lucky and won on my first try. This is sort of new to me, but Miss Hamilton County really prepared me for the Miss Tennessee pageant." She'll be participating in it again next year, having been named Miss Southeast Tennessee 2007 in September.

On being a titleholder: "Getting to go to Miss Tennessee is a great perk, but first and foremost, it's about being involved in the community. That's the most rewarding part, and it's what I'm most proud of. I can understand why people sometimes have the wrong impression about pageants (that it's just about wearing an evening gown and winning a crown), but they don't realize the dedication and hard work that goes with it. And like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it."

Her platform: Project SMART, aimed at helping students appreciate the benefits of Sports, Music, Academics, and staying on the Right Track by avoiding drugs and alcohol. "It's all about helping students make the most of their time at school by being involved in as much as possible. If you're not into sports, that's okay. There's band or chorus. Just don't overload yourself and let your grades fall, because that's most important. Work to get your goals honestly, and that's not possible if you've involved in drugs and alcohol. If you are involved in those things, you're not going to do well in sports or any other activity. Everybody is good at something, so find your niche and try your hardest."

On music education in elementary schools: She's a proponent. "It definitely is sad to see it go away because of budget cuts and lack of support. We had a music class when I was in elementary school, and it definitely made the day more exciting and fun. Besides, it's a proven fact that being involved in music makes children better students in and out of the classroom. Elementary school and middle school make up a child's formative years. Everything they take in is vitally important because they'll take it with them to the real world."

Her musical preferences: "Being from the South, I like country music, and I am a huge gospel music fan. My grandfather was a minister for 49 years, and I started singing in his church in Chickamauga when I was five and never stopped, so that's where my roots are." She has the goal of singing on the Grand Ole Opry, naming Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, and Dolly Parton as influences. She sang "I Will Always Love You" (a song Parton wrote about her friendship with Wagner) at the Miss Tennessee pageant. Mary J. Blige and Aretha Franklin can also be found in her CD player.

How she describes herself: "An outgoing person who is true to her values. I'm a firm believer in my faith, and I'm not afraid to explain it to anyone."

Her taste in movies: "I'm not much for action or scary movies. I like to sit down and laugh. If I'm going to spend $8 to see a movie, I want to laugh and have a good time."

On her reading list: Time (she's a subscriber) and several daily newspapers and other news magazines. "Staying up on current events is very important."

In her leisure time: "I like to spend time with my friends and shop. What girl doesn't? I sleep late whenever I can, but I'm usually up at the crack of dawn getting ready for school or an appearance. My first year of college and preparing for Miss Tennessee has kept me very busy."

College: She just began her sophomore year at UTC, where she plans to study communications and sociology. "I haven't finally decided what I want my career goal to be. I'm not banking on being Miss Tennessee or Miss America, but I'm still young and have a couple of years to decide what I want to do."

Stefanie Wittler Style: "I love to dress up when I can. I'm a girly girl, and proud of that. When I was little, my mom always had me dolled up in bows and dresses. I love to shop and buy shoes and purses and accessories and stay up with the latest fashions, but I'm a bargain shopper. I never buy anything at full price."

The best advice she ever received: "To be yourself. My parents instilled that in me, in addition to the need to be humble and gracious and thankful for everything I have. If you try to be what everyone else wants you to be, it definitely shows, especially in pageants. You have to be comfortable with who you are, and people respect you for it."

How she's benefited from pageantry: "I think the process has made me more disciplined and responsible. It's taught me to be more humble, and I wouldn't take anything for the skills I've learned this past year. Hopefully I'll keep getting smarter as the years go on."