Breanna AvaGrace Powell Wins Miss Jamboree Pageant in Age 16-18 Category

June 15, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Breanna AvaGrace Powell was crowned the 2025 Miss Jamboree Queen in the age 16-18 category Saturday at the county complex auditorium. The event was a fundraiser for the Last-Minute Toy Shop.

Powell, the 18-year-old daughter of Jason and Jacqueline Powell of Sparta was also awarded for Prettiest Hair, Attire, and Most Photogenic.

McKenna Reece Miller of Dowelltown was 1st runner-up. She is the 17-year-old daughter of Christen and Charles Cox and David Miller.

Second runner-up went to Chaylea Lunsford, the 17-year-old daughter of Daniel and Christy Lunsford of Liberty. She also won optional awards for Prettiest Eyes and Smile.

Winners in the 13-15 age division:

Queen Farrah Rigsby, 13-year-old daughter of David and Tyroma Rigsby of Lebanon. She was also awarded for Prettiest Attire.

Fourteen-year-old Kenli Faith Fish was 1st runner-up. She is the daughter of Tiffany Pedigo and Cody Fish of Smithville. Her optional award was for Prettiest Hair.

Brileigh Nicole Bullard received second runner-up. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Nikki and Jimmy Martin and Riley and Kayla Bullard of Smithville. Bullard received optional awards for Prettiest Eyes, Smile and Most Photogenic.

The other contestant was Jenna Kay Brock of Cookeville, the 15-year-old daughter of Mark and the late Daphne Brock.

Winners in the 10-12-year-old age group:

Queen Cortlynn Joins, the 10-year-old daughter of Brandon and Stephanie Joins of Castalian Springs. She also won for Prettiest Eyes.

Serenity Rayne Foster was 1st runner-up. She is the 11-year-old daughter of Justin and Shea Foster of Dowelltown. She won the People’s Choice Award.

Second runner-up went to MaKaeleigh Tarpley, 12-year-old daughter of Derrick and Brittney Tarpley of Elmwood. She also captured the Prettiest Attire and Prettiest Smile optional awards.

Arraya Jenae Taylor of Smithville, 12-year-old daughter of Angie Taylor, received an optional award for Prettiest Hair.

The Most Photogenic award went to Shaniya Bates, 11-year-old daughter of Tom and Chyna Bates of Liberty.

The other contestant was Stella Grace Adcock, 10-year-old daughter of Byron and Paige Adcock of Smithville

Winners in the 7–9-year-old category:

Queen Wrigley Jared, the 9-year-old daughter of Tim and Shelly Jared of Smithville. She also took home optional awards for Prettiest Attire and Most Photogenic.

Julie Chandyna was 1st runner-up. She is the 9-year-old daughter of Heather Chandyna of Smithville. She also received optional awards for Prettiest Eyes and Prettiest Smile.

Brinleigh Cole Bain, 7-year-old daughter of Amber Bain of Smithville was 2nd runner-up. She won for Prettiest Hair and the People’s Choice Award.

Winners in the 4–6-year-old category:

Queen Aspen Kate Dalton, 5-year-old daughter of Fletcher and Liz Dalton of Sparta. She also won optional award for Prettiest Attire, Most Photogenic, and the People’s Choice.

First runner-up went to Jazmin Perez, 5-year-old daughter of Blanca Jones and Joel Perez of Smithville. She won for Prettiest Smile, Hair, and Eyes.

Winners in the girls 25 to 48 months category:

Queen Indy Williams, 28-month-old daughter of Brian and Stephanie Williams of Smithville. She also won for Prettiest Attire, Most Photogenic, and People’s Choice.

First runner-up went to Enleigh Brooke Phillips, 40-month-old daughter of Kyle and MaKenzi Phillips of Dowelltown. Her optional award was for Prettiest Hair.

Jacee Martin was second runner-up. She is 2-year-old daughter of Ashley and Gaven of Dowelltown
Corie Rae Smith, 28-month-old daughter of Jesse and Chloe Smith of Smithville received optional awards for Prettiest Eyes and Smile.

Winner in the boys 25 to 48 months category:

Jaidyn Kane Turner, 26-month-old son of Marques and Shauna Turner of Murfreesboro. His optional awards were for Prettiest Eyes, Hair, Attire, Smile, and Most Photogenic.

Winners in the girls 13-24 months category:

Queen Ettalyn Val Rankhorn, 13-month-old daughter of Jacob and Ashlee Rankhorn of Rock Island. She also won for Prettiest Smile and Most Photogenic.

First runner-up was Katlyn Gibbs, 18-month-old daughter of Jana Gibbs of Sparta

20-month-old Lemon Grace Dalton was 2nd runner-up. She is the daughter of Fletcher and Liz Dalton of Sparta. Her optional awards were for Prettiest Eyes, Attire, and People’s Choice.

Stella Seifert, 21-month-old daughter of Sierra Silver and Colton Seifert of Smithville, won for Prettiest Hair.

Winners in the girls 7-12 months group:

Queen Charlotte Cay Koelle, 12-month-old daughter of Heather and Christian Koelle of Smithville. She also won for Prettiest Attire, Smile, and Most Photogenic.

First runner-up went to Stella Clouse, 10-month-old daughter of Drake and Amanda Clouse of Smithville. Her optional award was for Prettiest Eyes.

Winner of boys 7-12 months:

King Holden Ray McCloud, 7-month-old son of Harlan and Amanda McCloud of Smithville. He also won for Prettiest Eyes, Attire, Smile, and Most Photogenic.

Winner of girls 1 day to 6 months:

Queen Andi Jo Oyster, 5-month-old daughter of Coleman and Morgan Marie Oyster of Woodbury. She also received optional awards for Prettiest Eyes, Hair, Attire, Smile, People’s Choice and Most Photogenic.

Winners in the age 19-49 category for ladies:

Queen Arista Isabella Rigsby of Lebanon, 20-year-old daughter of David and Tyroma Rigsby. She also won for Prettiest Eyes, Attire, and Most Photogenic.

First Runner-up was Kenlee Renae Taylor, 20-year-old daughter of Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville. Her optional awards were for Prettiest Hair and Smile.

Winners in the age 50 plus category for ladies:
Queen 58-year-old Teresa Winchester Stanley of Smithville. Her optional awards were for Prettiest Eyes and Hair.

First Runner-up was 60-year-old Tammy West of Smithville. She also won for Prettiest Attire, Smile, People’s Choice, and Most Photogenic.

June 14, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary will hold kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, July 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Smithville Elementary. (If you have already pre-registered your child you do not need to attend this event.)

Please bring COPIES of the following documents to Registration:

– Certified copy of the child’s birth certificate

– Current, up-to-date, physical examination and immunization record (These must be on a Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization, which can be obtained from
your doctor’s office or the Health Department)

– Proof of residency for DeKalb County (i.e. gas/electric bill)

* Children who register to attend kindergarten must turn five years old on or before August 15, 2025.

June 13, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has hired a total of 232 teachers and other professional personnel for the 2025-26 school year.

Cripps presented a list of the employees to the Board of Education Thursday night.

Certified personnel at each school are as follows:

DeKalb County High School:
Joey Agee, Brandy Alley, Charlotte Blaylock, Amanda Brown, Brian Cadle, Jeanine Cantrell, Todd Cantrell, Hope Carter, Lisa Craig, Eli Cross, Hannah Culwell, Bruce Curtis, Deborah DePriest, Edward Dillard, Ethan Duke, Luke Dycus, Lauren Ferrell, Amy Fricks, Amanda Fuller, Luke Green, Britney Gulley, Josh Gulley, Lesa Hayes, Bradley Hendrix, Sonja House, Ann Inglis, Alivia Jared, Angie Johnson, Jon Jones, Lindsay Kennedy, Dylan Kleparek, Brad Leach, Rebecca Miller, Lori Myrick, Jenny Norris, Morgan Oyster, Shelly Painter, Leslie Parsley, Cole Parsley, Maxwell Patterson, John Pryor, Cody Randolph, Maddison Richardson, Gabby Robinson, Melissa Ruch, Michael Shaw, Steve Trapp, Erin Turner, Stephanie Turner, Tad Webb, Barbara Weller, Brittany Weller, Emily Wheeler, Kason Wheeler, Michael Whitefield, Seth Willoughby, and Sara Young.

Northside Elementary School:
Marla Beshearse, Callie Betencourt, Linda Bush, Sandy Cantrell, Shanea Cantrell, Shaunta Cantrell, Megan Carroll, Taylor Chapman, Allison Collier, Kelsey Cornelius, Tiffany Cowart, Alisha Day, Tara Driver, Tabitha Farmer, Megan Ford, Stephanie Fuson, Amanda Goodwin, Carrie Gottlied, Amanda Griffith, Patty Hale, Jennifer Herndon, Shelly Jennings, Angela Johnson, Trey Jones, Sarah Kurtz, Lisa Mabe, Amanda Mathis, Elizabeth Miller, Diana Moon, Melissa Odom, Beth Pafford, Amanda Parker, Greg Rains, Kathy Ramsey, Amy Raymond, Bethany Rigsby, Kristen Rowland, Melissa Roysdon, Jennifer Salas, Tammy Sims, Carol Tripp, Cheryl Vandagriff, Melissa Wallace, and Kristen Van Vranken.

DeKalb West School:
Jessica Antoniak, Crystal Barnes, Vickey Barrett, Dwayne Blair, Hannah Bratton, Mollie Bratten, Whitney Brelje, Jenny Cantrell, Jeanna Caplinger, Rayanna Chapman, Trent Colwell, Kim Crook, Kayley Curtis, Rachel Desimone, Wade Dunnaway, Tonya Ellis, Sabrina Farler, Rachel Hernandez, Cathleen Humphrey, Kristen Malone, Jennifer Martin, Shelia McMillen, Leslie Moore, Amanda Mullinax, Olivia Neal, Ashley Nokes, Kelly Pyburn, Missy Sliger, Cynthia Snow, Teresa Sullivan, Susan West, Samantha Woodward, and Amy Young.

Smithville Elementary School:
Misty Agee, Ashley Barnes, Katie Barrett, Lindsey Bouldin, Priscilla Campbell, Beth Cantrell, Cayla Cantrell, Mary Cantrell, Claire Cloyd, Brittany Daniel, Amy Davis, Calista Dodson, Ashley Dugaw, Madison Elkins, Caitlin Fox, Karen France, Stephanie Hensley, Tanya Howard, Amber Howell, Kelly Huling, Elizabeth James, Ana Jarvis, Sydney Johnson, Stormy Komandosky, Emily Lattimore, Leah Magness, Stephanie Majors, Adrienne McCormick, Christina Merriman, Serah Mitchell, Chloe Mooneyham, Jacquelyn Overbey, Anita Puckett, Jane Ramsey, Amanda Rhoady, Janie Roberts, Sydney Simmonds, Brian Smith, Cristy Spears, Cynthia Stoglin, Kaylene Thomason, Allyson Trapp, Brad Trapp, Carol Tripp, Patricia Ward, Kristy Williams, Lisa Woods, Elizabeth Wright, and Crystal Young.

DeKalb Middle School:
January Agee, Josh Agee, Suzette Barnes, Kelly Birmingham, Galen Brown, Victoria Christian, Nancy Cowan, Melba Farmer, Heather Harney, Amy Hayes, Holly Hendrix, Lori Hendrix, Lorie Isabell, Sarah Jacobs-McGregor, Nikitta Johnson, Bryan Jones, Michelle Jones, Teresa Jones, Alyssa Leslie, Cameron Lester, Kristen Lynch, Martha Melching, LeVaughnda Midgett, Justin Nokes, Colter Norris, Erin Patterson, Courtney O’Conner, Scott Odom, Hunter Poteete, Justin Poteete, Deb Poteete, Candice Scrabo, Jennifer Sykes, Carson Speck, Danni Stahlke, Carol Tallent, Kitty Thomas, Cheryl Vance, Isaac Vincent, Jennifer West, and Christie Young

Central Office Staff:
Michelle Burklow, Danielle Collins, Elise Driver, Emily Estes, Randy Jennings, Joey Reeder, Lori Rogers, and Natasha Vaughn.

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