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Jan Boston Sellers Local women shine It is all in the family. Two Cumberland County
first cousins are making news all over the state of Tennessee
and beyond. Lisa Tollett, daughter of Mike and Mary Sue
Tollett of Crossville, and Mandy Barnett, daughter of Betty Barnett
(Mike's sister) and Dan Barnett, also of Crossville, have some
more accomplishments to add to their resumés. Lisa has just been named Miss Tennessee USA,
and Mandy has just been named one of Nashville's Top 25 Most
Beautiful People. Both are graduates of Cumberland County High
School. Lisa won the coveted Miss Tennessee USA crown
during pageant competition in Clarksville last weekend. She outscored
50 other contestants in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview
competitions to capture the crown and earn the opportunity to
represent Tennessee in the Miss USA national pageant scheduled
for next spring in Indiana. Crowns and titles are nothing new to Lisa.
The University of Tennessee broadcasting graduate has won numerous
titles, including Miss TAD, Miss Cumberland County, Miss East
Tennessee, Miss Food City and Cumberland County Fairest of the
Fair. Lisa was also first runner-up in the state Fairest of the
Fair contest. Lisa and her twin sister Lori are also The
WB Network's official representatives. The Tollett twins are
on contract with the Knoxville WB affiliate to make public appearances
on behalf of the the television station. Several events and activities in celebration
of Lisa's new state title are being planned, one of which is
a public reception. A date will be announced later. Now, let's talk about Lisa's cousin Mandy.
Mandy, as mentioned above, has just been named one of Nashville's
Top 25 Most Beautiful People by a Music City-based entertainment
magazine. Mandy, who also has connections to the Cumberland County
Fair -- she sang at the grand openings from youngster on up --
has already had her share of fame performing on the Grand Ole
Opry, being featured on Country Music Television and playing
the role of Patsy Cline in the musical Always ... Patsy Cline
at the Ryman in Nashville. Others named among Nashville's beautiful people
are Tennessee Titan Eddie George and MCA record executive Tony
Brown. Wait, I am not finished yet. Mandy has also
been nominated for the Female Vocalist of the Year award in the
annual Nashville Music Awards. Everyone who lives in Davidson
and surrounding counties is allowed to vote for the winner of
this award -- so that means we are eligible. Cumberland Countians
may log on and cast their vote for Mandy by typing in this address:
www.nashvillemusicawards.org. Voting takes only a few minutes.
Mandy will be appearing this weekend at 4 p.m. at the new Opry
Mills Mall in Nashville. If you are in Music City, check out
her concert! So, congratulations to two of Cumberland County's
greatest assets, Lisa Tollett and Mandy Barnett. *** *** |