Miss America Betty Cantrell gives an autograph to Brandi Degges, of Hixson, after entertaining a crowd of more than 200 attendees at the D9 Visionary Lunch Wednesday at the Hunter Museum of American Art.
Ever wondered if Miss America could pronounce “Ooltewah?” She can, as it turns out, with some difficulty.
On Wednesday afternoon, 21-year-old Betty Cantrell raised an eyebrow as she came to the word, taking a tentative stab at it with a laugh during her keynote speech at an education fundraiser in Chattanooga.
The light-hearted attempt drew laughter from the crowd of 200 seated in the Hunter Art Museum. Within 30 seconds she had won them over as easily as she did a panel of judges, and the nation, only a few months ago.
Cantrell, a Georgia native who claimed the title of Miss America 2016 in September and now aspires to become a country music singer, agreed to speak at the annual visionary luncheon hosted by the Ooltewah Harrison Education Foundation, otherwise known as “D9.”
Even before winning her title, Cantrell had been outspoken on her platform, “Healthy Children, Strong America,” making her a natural selection for D9’s annual fundraising event to encourage private and public investment in local education. “The youth are the future of America,” she said.
Pointing to a variety of technological changes and noisy issues swirling around students in 2016, Cantrell said it is more important than ever for the public to support education and secure opportunities for children. “People will listen if you do something about it.”
Cantrell also spoke at length about her own experiences with pageants and what they taught her, firmly rejecting stereotypes she said have plagued the programs for years. “Scholarship and service. Miss America is someone who wants to further her education,” she said.
A junior at Mercer University, Cantrell also won a $50,000 scholarship for school. She said the competition, and the responsibilities that come with it, require significantly more than good looks – they encourage positivity and a healthy outlook.
“Love yourself for exactly who you are,” she said. “You will see every type of young woman on that stage.”
Miranda Perez, the executive director of D9, said having Miss America speak was the opportunity of a lifetime and her message fits well with that of the nonprofit.
“We are a community of doers. I could wait around all day, but waiting and complaining isn’t doing anything,” she said. According to Perez, in two years D9 has raised a more than $50,000 for local elementary schools, paying for art programs, new technology and a host of other welcome gifts.
She said one of the most successful purchases was equipping the 3rd grade class at Harrison Elementary with iPads.
“We bought a charging station too because the school is so old they didn’t have enough power outlets,” she said.
While the economic and educational issues addressed on Wednesday may have flown over the heads of some of the younger guests, several girls said they were excited by what Cantrell had to say.
Shiloh Loher, a Miss Pre-Teen Tennessee finalist said she’s going to follow in Cantrell’s footsteps and keep entering Miss America pageants.
Wearing a wide smile on her face and white ribbon over her shoulder, she said, “It’s really inspiring what she has to say about stereotypes.”
Contact staff writer Emmett Gienapp at egienapp@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6731.