| Sources |
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 8 Jan 2007.
Kings boost library effort with $1M gift
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 5 Sep 2007.
King ends her year as the Fairest of the Fair
By: DEREK HODGES, Staff Writer
September 05, 2007
SEVIERVILLE - There's a line in the song that's crooned at the end of each Miss America pageant that goes, "There she is ... the fairest of the fair." They should know that title properly belongs - rather now, belonged - to Lindsey King.
King, 19, was Miss Fairest of the Fair, a title awarded each year to the young woman who wins a pageant held at the Sevier County Fair. King handed off the title to the 2007 Miss Fairest of the Fair last night and we'll have results of that contest for your tomorrow.
Today, however, we hear some words from King as she comes to grips with no longer being a queen.
"This has been a great opportunity for me," she says. "I think the best part about it is you get to represent an event that brings the community together. You can do anything at the fair. The fair is the second best thing that happens every year, I think."
The first, she says, is Christmas.
She compares the fair to a high school reunion, at least a fitting substitute for this young woman who has only been an alumna of Sevier County High School for two years now.
But what an eventful two years - in addition to the Fairest title, King also started at the University of Tennessee where she has already had two majors - journalism and psychology - and it was announced the new library will bear her family's name.
Most recently, while embedded with soldiers at Fort Campbell, something she did in pursuit of her dream of being a journalist, she found a new dream - being an American hero.
"I decided then I want to be in the military," she says. "I think not everyone's cut out to be in the military, but I feel like it's something for me."
Something for her, indeed. U.S. Air National Guard Airman First Class Lindsey King will soon give up her beauty pageant ways for basic training days, following in the footsteps of her father, uncles, grandfather and others in her family.
Despite the protests of her family, King says she hopes she has the opportunity to serve her country in one of the ongoing foreign conflicts.
"I actually do hope to get deployed," she says. "When I tell my family that they say I'm crazy, but I want to serve."
When she gets back stateside, though, King hasn't ruled out the possibility of seeking other crowns in the future. She certainly seems fitted for it - she also won another class in the fair competition when she was younger.
If she does, she may already have her platform. Inspired by Miss Teen South Carolina's now infamous map flub, King says it's time to improve the American education system.
"I just think there's not enough focus on education," she says. "I think public schools make it too easy and teachers are underpaid."
For now, she's happy to pass on the Fairest crown to the no-doubt lovely young lady who follows in her footsteps.
"To everything there's an end and all you can do is cherish the memories," she says. "I've had a great time getting to know people through this and I'm happy for another girl to have the opportunity."
* dhodges@themountainpress.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
KING DANIEL R ELIZABETH [NOT GIVEN] SEVIER 05-10-1980 19595
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
PARTON JEREMY C LINDSEY E KING SEVIER 06-28-2008 26380
|
Search | Advanced Search
Abt 1988 - (~ 36 years)
[3] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
= Link to Google Maps