Closing out her reign as Miss Tennessee, Soddy-Daisy native Stefanie Witter told the Jackson Sun that what she'll remember most about her duties this year was meeting so many children.
"My favorite was this family I met for a Children's Miracle Network Hospital event in Chattanooga. I met a boy, Joshua Freeman, who was diagnosed with stage four of a rare liver cancer. I was immediately drawn to him and his family. He was 3 years old. I stayed in touch with the family, went with him to the hospital for treatments. I got to experience that with him and his family and I got to learn firsthand what they go through. When Joshua was diagnosed, it was almost his third birthday, so they couldn't have a party. His parents were struggling financially and weren't able to give him a Christmas. I got him a Spiderman Power Wheels Truck custom-made for his birthday. Wal-Mart donated it. ... He made me realize what my job is all about. I'll always check up on them. That was greatest moment of my life."
Now she's ready to finish college at UT-Chattanooga, debt-free due to her pageant winnings. Spending the year in the public eye and be the subject of interviews made her consider a career in broadcasting, after graduate school
Read all about it in the Jackson Sun
