After much deliberation, a committee of judges narrowed the search for Chattanooga's top bachelor to five finalists.
Now it's time for readers to weigh in. You can see bios, photos and video interviews with the five finalists on our Web site, timesfreepress.com/bachelorette. Online voting begins today and will end at noon Oct. 29, so vote early and often.
Deciding the five finalists was difficult, the judges said. There were more than 35 candidates from different walks of life -- teachers, television personalities, waitresses and bankers. In the end, the judges picked a group of women who embody a healthy lifestyle, hard work and share a certain pizzazz any man could appreciate. Learn the winner online and in print Nov. 1. The winner will receive a $500 gift package from the Chattanoogan.
Katherine Becksvoort
* Occupation: Waitress at Public House, student in nursing school.
* Age: 33.
* Interests: Hitchhiking, road biking, sea kayaking, backpacking, rock climbing, snowboarding, writing about her adventures and excursions, photography.
* Why are you the city's perfect catch?
"I think I represent Chattanooga in so many ways. Chattanooga has been so unafraid of being the one out front, the one that's the wild card. It is very outdoorsy, very artistic and very adventursome."
Susannah Cook
* Occupation: Tennis professional, tennis coach at McCallie School.
* Age: 28.
* Interests: Running at the Sports Barn, listening to live music, traveling to Europe and visiting friends from college, hanging out with her niece and nephew, sitting on the porch and reading a book.
* Why are you the city's perfect catch?
"I really love life. I love being around people. I really enjoy my job and what I do. I feel like I am a real honest person. I am loyal and close to my family and friends."
DeSharla Lavette
* Occupation: Neighborhood relations specialist for the City of Chattanooga.
* Age: 25.
* Interests: Attending church, mentoring with Howard School of Academics and Technology and Big Brothers Big Sisters, hanging out with her family during week game night.
* Why are you the city's perfect catch?
"I decided that to love someone I truly needed to love myself. ... I feel like I would be a great bachelorette at this time because I am a very giving and caring person."
Lindsey Miller
* Occupation: Chemist with ZECO.
* Age: 24.
* Interests: Playing violin, attending the symphony, dancing, UTC alumni activities, riding roller coasters, spending time with family and friends.
* Why are you the city's perfect catch?
"I like to try new and exciting things. I am an adventurous person. I like the music and the arts, as well as various forms of dance. I have a good education, a good job and a good head on my shoulders."
Alexandra Santiago
* Occupation: Sales and marketing manager at SunTrust Bank.
* Age: 34
* Interests: Hiking, playing flag football, working on her career.
* Why are you the city's perfect catch?
"I think I am a kindred spirit with the city. I think I embody a lot of Chattanooga's characteristics. It has a natural appeal ... a spiritual heart, a giving heart. It has phenominal family values, and it's fun."
I wish to vote for Lindsey Miller for Chattanooga's Bachelorette.
L. Quentin Lane lqlane@comcast.net (423) 892-5400
Alexandra Santiago simply sparkles.
Her enthusiasm for life easily shines through in her interview. What she's too humble to mention is that she's still a Bachelorette because she spends all of her time helping others: the United Way, team-mates at work, friends who wished she lived closer (me!). And when she isn't helping people, she's having fun with her wonderful dog or visiting her family in FL.
Her latin background combined with her city-saviness has allowed her to be very accomplished professionally- she's driven, loves challenges (hello... flag football!), and strives to be the best she can be...
Now we just need to find her an equally good catch!
Chattanooga deserves someone that sparkles as much as she does!
-Katherine Teixeira Bender
By the way... check out the ad Alexandra was asked to be in for the United Way: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1237881108633
She's so awesome!
All the finalists are real gems, but the brightest diamond is clearly Susannah Cook. When she runs at the Sports Barn, the guys stumble like they have two left feet. When she traveled in Europe, the trains came to a stop. There is a line of eglible batchelors signing up for tennis as we speak. If you look in the Chattanooga Dictionary under "perfect catch" there is a picture of Susannah. I vote for Susannah.
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