Matthew Burnette, Staff Writer

Coffee County Central High School’s Audri Leann Patton was crowned the 2025 Fairest of the Fair on Saturday Aug. 30 at the pageant held in the CCCHS auditorium.

Patton, who was named first runner-up in 2024, is the daughter of Jason and Wendy Patton. She enjoys playing basketball, competing in pageants, thrifting, shopping and paddleboarding.

A member of the high school’s Top 10% and the National Honors Society, Patton is currently enrolled in dual enrollment classes through Motlow State Community College where she will continue her education to become a Certified Registered Nurse.

She is also a member of the youth group at First Baptist Church of Manchester and an advocate for the Dusty Elam Foundation.

Patton, who has been involved in pageants since freshman year and competed in around 50, says it’s awesome to be named the Fairest of the Fair.

“I’ve prepared a lot for this pageant,” she said. “It just gives me self-confidence to just get out there and be all dressed up and be with a bunch of girls who love what they’re doing.”

During the question portion of the pageant which factors heavily in the judges’ scoring, Patton was asked whether the recent state law banning phone use in schools was positive or negative to which she said she thought it was positive.

“I believe that it is a positive aspect of school because I have undergone this phone ban, and I have made so many friends in the meantime,” she explained.

The 2025 Fairest of the Fair court also included fourth runner-up Victoria Mccart, third runner-up Belle Sanders, second runner-up Chevell Cornelison, who was also named People’s Choice, and first runner-up Carleigh Freeman.

This year’s pageant was emceed by current Miss Queen City Volunteer Sloan Wiggs who recently competed for Miss Tennessee where she placed 18th out of 36 contestants.

In her introduction, she described the pageant as “where tradition, community and hometown pride come together to celebrate some truly outstanding individuals.”

Wiggs, a Coffee County and Tullahoma native, said it was an honor to host the event.

“It was truly an honor to be able to give back to the Coffee County Fair,” she said. “I love it so much and being a state title holder I’m able to give back to my small community.”

She explained that pageants more than what they seem.

“Pageants especially for me were a big confidence boost being able to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I was able to get a full ride scholarship to the college of my choice and continue to further my education with getting scholarship money for pageants. It’s not only shaped me as an individual but helped pursue my education as well.”

Outgoing Fairest of the Fair Megan Renee Smith was acknowledged during the pageant and helped crown this year’s Fairest. She says she thought the pageant went well despite a smaller number of contestants.

“I was a little surprised that it was such low participation; normally there’s a lot more, but I’m really proud of all the girls,” she said. “They were really beautiful, and I think they did a wonderful job.”

She explained that this is probably going to be her “last hurrah” in the pageantry world.

“I’ve been doing pageants since I was five years old, so it’s definitely bittersweet, but I really enjoy getting to provide myself as a role model for younger kids,” said Smith.

“The biggest benefit is getting to know people and opening so many doors,” she added. “It provided me with so many opportunities and for that I will always be grateful.”

Christy Clouse, the pageant’s organizer and a member of the Coffee County Fair Board of Directors, says the fair has not only been a long-standing attraction for the Fair but also builds confidence in the contestants.

She, like Wiggs, also noted that pageants are more than what people think they are.

“There’s a great deal of comradery that happens back here,” she explained. “They’re all holding hands and straightening each other’s dresses, and it has long time been a tradition at our fair and a way that we can recognize these girls and let them gain confidence.”