Murray State University Athletics
Haley Wins Fish Fry Hostess Princess Pageant
3/4/2008 6:00:00 AM | Cheerleading
As a cheerleader at Murray State University, Cortney Haley is used to cheering for others. But she had several family members and friends cheering for her Saturday night when she won the crown during the 55th annual World's Biggest Fish Fry Hostess Princess pageant. Twenty-one young women participated in the pageant, which was sponsored by the Paris-Henry County (Tenn.) Jaycees.
Haley is the 18-year-old daughter of Ron and Teresa Haley of Paris. A freshman at Murray State, she is studying to become a neo-natal nurse.
“It means so much to me (to be Hostess Princess),” she said. “I've been waiting so long to get on the court. Just to be able to represent Henry County, finally; I'm excited about it I want to thank my family for always being supportive.”
She especially wanted her aunt Karen Smith of Paris to know she was thinking of her the night of the pageant. Smith had a heart attack Friday and was in the hospital, but recovering.
Haley said her parents and her 15-year-old brother Skylar have always supported her.
The question asked of each of the final five young women was, “Imagine you have a visitor from a foreign country come into Henry County. How would you explain the huge catfish sign and explain the World's Biggest Fish Fry?”
“We're known for cooking the most fish in the whole world ... (The Fish Fry) is a really good family event and it brings our whole community together,” Haley answered.
