Miss Tennessee tells Appalachian Ballet Company dancers to 'find their yes'

A sea of dancers in blue leotards encircled Miss Tennessee USA 2024 Christell Foote while she spoke to the dancers of Appalachian Ballet Company at Van Metre School of Dance late Thursday afternoon.

She shared stories from her experience in pageants, advice for the young girls and even taught everyone how to stand in the classic pageant pose: Feet in third position, pull up and sink into back hip. Bend the front leg, place your hand on your hip, shoulders straight and smile.

Soon, she will compete for a chance at Miss USA, but on that sunny afternoon, she reminisced about her time spent with the Appalachian Ballet Company.

Foote spent her high school years at West High School in Knoxville after moving from Dallas with her family to East Tennessee.

She had spent the summer before they moved attending the Joffrey Ballet’s summer intensive ballet school program.

Foote knew she wanted to get involved with a ballet company in East Tennessee but, at the time, didn’t see many opportunities in Knoxville.

“I wanted to make sure when I came here it was with a well-trusted and well-known company that really grows and leans into their girls and watches them develop in their ballet life,” she said.

Foote spent her high school years dancing with Appalachian Ballet Company, performing in shows like The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella and Blue Jeans & Ballet.

After completing high school, she attended the University of Georgia and earned a dual degree in Marketing and Spanish.

Foote credits her ballet training and performance experience with Appalachian Ballet Company in helping her excel in the pageantry world.

“I learned stage presence, which conveyed itself and translated itself into the pageant world because 50% of your score is onstage,” she said.

Growing up, Foote said she didn’t really know much about the pageant world but wanted a chance to grow and learn more about herself. She said she was looking to grow her self-confidence. “I didn’t walk into a room proudly,” she said.

She said through participating in pageants, she discovered a sense of confidence and purpose.

“I call it a woman empowerment organization,” she said of Miss USA organization, “Any woman, anybody, anyone can be a part of this and experience that personal growth and I think that’s incredible to be able to say.”

Her advice for the young ladies of Appalachian Ballet Company was twofold.

First, she advised the girls to stand tall and keep their heads up through adversity.

Don’t let anyone make you slouch and not stand tall because of their words, she said.

Her other message was to “find your yes.”

Foote competed seven times before winning the crown.

“Whenever you find your yes, take it and run with it,” she said.

Foote will compete for the Miss USA title on Aug. 4.