ABINGDON, Va. (WCYB) — Abingdon native Addison Smith was crowned Miss Food City 2024 on Saturday.
The 31st annual Miss Food City Pageant was held at The McGlothlin Center for the Arts in Emory. The pageant showcased talented young women from across the region, competing for the coveted title and the opportunity to represent Food City in the coming year. The contestants were judged on a number of criteria, including private interview, sportswear, professional attire, formal evening wear, and on-stage question.
“Becoming Miss Food City was truly a dream come true,” Smith said. “I can’t wait for all the memories I’m going to make, experiences I’ll have, and people I’ll get to meet in the year ahead. I am so thankful for each person who has supported me and cheered me on through my journey to the crown. I couldn’t have done it without them, and thank you to the judges for believing in me to represent the best store in town! Let’s make Food City proud!”
Smith succeeds Alexis Ramsey from Oakwood, Virginia, who held the title in 2023.
Smith is currently a student at the University of Tennessee. Her hobbies include photography, organizing, and playing pickleball. She considers her greatest accomplishments to be getting baptized, starting her own photography business, being Valedictorian of her high school class, and being accepted into the University of Tennessee. Her future goals are to secure an internship with Food City, graduate college Summa Cum Laude, begin a rewarding career, and marry her high school sweetheart.
Smith will represent Food City at various company events and activities in the coming year, including the March 17 return of the Food City 500 to Bristol Motor Speedway and the September 20 Food City 300.
“We would like to thank all of the talented and accomplished young ladies who competed in this year’s pageant. We certainly wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to have Addison represent our company and look forward to working with her in the coming year.”
Kerigan Robinson, of Big Stone Gap, was selected as first runner-up and Isabella Caruso, of Johnson City, was named second runner-up. Shayli Castle, of Castlewood, received the Miss Photogenic Award.
The annual pageant was directed by the ladies of the Twin City Woman’s Club, with event proceeds benefitting their sponsored projects and charities.
“We would like to extend a special thanks to our volunteers who work so hard to make the pageant such a tremendous success, including the members of the Twin City Woman’s Club, WXBQ-96.9 FM 24 Carrot Country for their continued promotional and advertising support, The McGlothlin Center for the Arts, the performers and entertainment, our Food City associates, and the many others who have given of their time and talents in support of this event,” said Kevin Stafford, Food City Vice President of Marketing.