Erin Hatley
Miss Tennessee 2011 (top 10 @ Miss America 2012)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Collierville pageant?
A sorority sister of mine had encouraged me to participate in the local pageant. At the time, Anna Hummerickhouse Nicol was the reigning Miss Collierville 2009; the pageant needed more contestants, so she got me to compete in the 2010 pageant. I felt so out of place but ended up being first runner up. However, I knew that I wanted to be Miss Collierville, so I went back and won the 2011 pageant. So if at first you don’t succeed, work even harder and try again!!
Tell us about your platform, "Volunteerism: Connecting People with Opportunities".
As a teenager and young college student, I was involved in a lot of different volunteer opportunities. I had experience in mission work, volunteering and fundraising at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, and a lot of volunteer student leadership work at the University of Memphis. With all of these opportunities, I realized how much I was gaining from the experiences. The benefits are endless! You network with others; you gain a better self-confidence and contribute to your community. To me, this was something that needed to be shared with across the state of TN considering that only 26% of TN residents volunteer! The younger generations really needed to gain a better understanding about volunteering so that they could serve as the catalyst for change in our “Volunteer State”.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 10 at Miss America?
Wow- so many things at each announcement! I was filled with so much excitement and was praising our Lord for the amazing journey!! After all, it is because of Him that I was blessed with the ability to sing and thrive in front of an audience. I also was just trying to stay focused on what I was doing during each competition. You cannot tell when you are watching the telecast, but it is sooo loud in the auditorium. The place is filled with so much energy from contestant’s families, friends and pageant fans! So, I really felt God right by my side the whole time to keep me at peace when it was such an adrenaline rush.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Tennessee?
As Miss TN, I served as the official state spokesperson for character education. I traveled over 70,000 miles and spoke to over 40,000 children in TN!
At one elementary school in Portland, TN, I met a precious little girl who wanted to sing for me. Of course, I was thrilled to hear her sing! She sang “Amazing Grace” and it was so beautiful! After the little girl sang, the principal came up to thank me for listening to little Ella sing. There was no need to thank me; I was thrilled to hear the sweet little girl sing! While the principal, Mrs. Turner, was standing by us she claimed that Ella was one of her special students. She told Ella to explain to me why she was one of Mrs. Turner’s special students. Ella told me how she loved Mrs. Turner because she keeps a hair brush and hair clippies in Mrs. Turner’s office. After Ella ran off back to class, Mrs. Turner explained to me how Ella’s mother does not take care of her like she should and doesn’t even bother to brush her own daughter’s hair. It was so heart breaking to hear, but I am just humbled to be the one to wear the crown this year and have the chance to hug sweet little kids like Ella. These types of experiences remind me of how God has blessed me with such a purposeful reign and how he has blessed me with loving parents! I have become more grateful for the people who God has surrounded me with in my life.
Why did you decide to major in Marketing Management at the University of Memphis?
Marketing is a very broad major, which gives you a lot of opportunities job-wise. Whether it is public relations, advertising, sales, brand promotion, ETC, they are all subjects of which I have a high interest in. They all have to do with meeting the needs of consumers, providing people with what they want or desire and brand loyalty. I gained a lot of marketing experience as Miss TN, especially when it came to brand promotion for the Miss America Organization. Plus, it’s crucial to have a good marketing plan when you are reigning as a state titleholder. You need to know what direction you are going in so that you can make connections statewide to promote your own personal platform.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Tennessee ended?
Completing that Marketing Management Degree at the U of M! I am currently as full time student right now. At first, it was kind of weird being back in school but exciting at the same time because I graduate in May of 2013! I also have stayed involved in pageantry! I have judged some local pageants and talent shows. It’s fun being on the other side. ;) I also am singing and emceeing events in the Memphis Community. Plus, I just started modeling for Allure Bridals. In fact, the month of September will be a whirlwind with school, appearances and modeling, but that’s how I like it!
A sorority sister of mine had encouraged me to participate in the local pageant. At the time, Anna Hummerickhouse Nicol was the reigning Miss Collierville 2009; the pageant needed more contestants, so she got me to compete in the 2010 pageant. I felt so out of place but ended up being first runner up. However, I knew that I wanted to be Miss Collierville, so I went back and won the 2011 pageant. So if at first you don’t succeed, work even harder and try again!!
Tell us about your platform, "Volunteerism: Connecting People with Opportunities".
As a teenager and young college student, I was involved in a lot of different volunteer opportunities. I had experience in mission work, volunteering and fundraising at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, and a lot of volunteer student leadership work at the University of Memphis. With all of these opportunities, I realized how much I was gaining from the experiences. The benefits are endless! You network with others; you gain a better self-confidence and contribute to your community. To me, this was something that needed to be shared with across the state of TN considering that only 26% of TN residents volunteer! The younger generations really needed to gain a better understanding about volunteering so that they could serve as the catalyst for change in our “Volunteer State”.
What was going through your head when you were called into the top 10 at Miss America?
Wow- so many things at each announcement! I was filled with so much excitement and was praising our Lord for the amazing journey!! After all, it is because of Him that I was blessed with the ability to sing and thrive in front of an audience. I also was just trying to stay focused on what I was doing during each competition. You cannot tell when you are watching the telecast, but it is sooo loud in the auditorium. The place is filled with so much energy from contestant’s families, friends and pageant fans! So, I really felt God right by my side the whole time to keep me at peace when it was such an adrenaline rush.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Tennessee?
As Miss TN, I served as the official state spokesperson for character education. I traveled over 70,000 miles and spoke to over 40,000 children in TN!
At one elementary school in Portland, TN, I met a precious little girl who wanted to sing for me. Of course, I was thrilled to hear her sing! She sang “Amazing Grace” and it was so beautiful! After the little girl sang, the principal came up to thank me for listening to little Ella sing. There was no need to thank me; I was thrilled to hear the sweet little girl sing! While the principal, Mrs. Turner, was standing by us she claimed that Ella was one of her special students. She told Ella to explain to me why she was one of Mrs. Turner’s special students. Ella told me how she loved Mrs. Turner because she keeps a hair brush and hair clippies in Mrs. Turner’s office. After Ella ran off back to class, Mrs. Turner explained to me how Ella’s mother does not take care of her like she should and doesn’t even bother to brush her own daughter’s hair. It was so heart breaking to hear, but I am just humbled to be the one to wear the crown this year and have the chance to hug sweet little kids like Ella. These types of experiences remind me of how God has blessed me with such a purposeful reign and how he has blessed me with loving parents! I have become more grateful for the people who God has surrounded me with in my life.
Why did you decide to major in Marketing Management at the University of Memphis?
Marketing is a very broad major, which gives you a lot of opportunities job-wise. Whether it is public relations, advertising, sales, brand promotion, ETC, they are all subjects of which I have a high interest in. They all have to do with meeting the needs of consumers, providing people with what they want or desire and brand loyalty. I gained a lot of marketing experience as Miss TN, especially when it came to brand promotion for the Miss America Organization. Plus, it’s crucial to have a good marketing plan when you are reigning as a state titleholder. You need to know what direction you are going in so that you can make connections statewide to promote your own personal platform.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Tennessee ended?
Completing that Marketing Management Degree at the U of M! I am currently as full time student right now. At first, it was kind of weird being back in school but exciting at the same time because I graduate in May of 2013! I also have stayed involved in pageantry! I have judged some local pageants and talent shows. It’s fun being on the other side. ;) I also am singing and emceeing events in the Memphis Community. Plus, I just started modeling for Allure Bridals. In fact, the month of September will be a whirlwind with school, appearances and modeling, but that’s how I like it!