A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA
MRS. TENNESSEE
AMANDA UGGLA Mrs. Tennessee United States
Franklin resident, Amanda Uggla, currently holds the title of Mrs. Tennessee United States. At 32, she is wife to Mike Uggla and mom to Keaton (5) and Logan (3). She is a stay at home mom, a part time promotional model and manages one night a week at Jonathan’s Grille in Cool Springs. Originally from Kansas, Amanda moved to Nashville, at the age of 19, to pursue a career in the music industry. She sang with a few different groups on Broadway and Gibson Showcase, before she met and married her husband in 2006. After having their first child in 2008, Amanda decided that she missed the stage and needed the ultimate motivation to lose the baby weight. She felt that putting herself in a position to be judged in a swimsuit was just the answer. She placed 4th runner upin a local pageant less than a year after her son was born. Amanda knew that she wanted to compete again, giving herself a chance to set goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle. On April 21, 2013, Amanda was crowned Mrs. Tennessee United States. The pageant was held at the West Creek Performing Arts Center in Clarksville. Since receiving the title, she has had the opportunity to work with the YMCA, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Best Buddies of Tennessee and anti bullying organizations. She was also able to sing the National Anthem at an Atlanta Braves game, recently. She says it’s “one of the coolest things” she has done, as Mrs. Tennessee. A video of the performance can be seen on her Mrs. Tennessee United States 2013 Facebook page. The Mrs. United States Pageant was held in July in Las Vegas. Amanda finished in the top 5, as 3rd runner up. “The most memorable moment of competing at Nationals was having so much support from my friends and family and spending time with some of the most amazing women across the country,” Amanda said. “ My roommate at nationals, Mrs. Texas, was the one who brought home the crown.” Amanda is an active member of her church and is passionate about encouraging volunteerism. She recently took her second life altering missionary trip to Haiti and would be honored, if she inspired others to step outside their comfort zone. Amanda enjoys exercising, baseball games, traveling and spending time with family and friends. “Being Mrs. Tennessee is truly an honor,” Amanda said. “I love that I’m a wife and mother and still get to be a role model for others.” She will be crowning her successor on April 27, 2014 in Clarksville. See more details about the competition and eligibility at www.mrstennesseeunitedstates.com.
72 YOURWILLIAMSON.COM September 2013