Although Jennifer Whittington is Miss Johnson City, there is more to this ETSU athlete than beauty and the gift of speed.
She is 20, but she anxiously awaits becoming 21. Whittington came to ETSU from Richlands, Va., because of academics.
“I think that it is important as a student-athlete to remember that you are a student-athlete and not an athlete-student,”she said.”Your academics come first.”
She is on the honor roll and has been on the dean’s list several times. along with the Southern Conference Honor Roll.
As a junior, she is majoring in biology with a minor in philosophy.
“We have one of the top biology departments in the state and one of the best medical schools in the nation,” Whttington said. “That is what really impressed me.”
After learning this, she became interested in the track program and decided that it would be an honor to become part of it.
Much of her time is spent volunteering as an EMT. Whittington also works with the Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies Program (PALS), Toys for Tots and Habitat for Humanity.
PALS is a tutoring program that works with local schools. Whittington enjoys working with other volunteers.
Whittington has also worked with the Director of Communities in Schools Pat Miller, Johnson City Homeless Coordinator Bonnie White and Northside Elementary Principal Vince Dial.
“I still visit with some of the schools, and they do not think that I am a princess anymore.” she said. “That is the funniest thing about being a beauty queen. A lot of the kids have this idea that you are a princess who lives in a castle and drives a limo around.
“I am a college student who drives a pick-up truck.”
Whittington went to Woodside Elementary and participated in it’s reading day. She has volunteered for the Boys and Girls’ Club, Salvation Army and Bristol Motor Speedway. On Valentine’s Day, she even visited the VA Hospital.
The Pepsi Independence Day and Blue Plum Festival were events that she hosted. Whittington has worked with the Johnson City Police Department in the DARE Program.
She also volunteers with Special Olympics. “Working with the Special Olympics touched my heart,” she said. “I hope to give as much to the community as they have given to me.”
The gift of speed has been given to Whittington.
She discovered her running ability in second grade and has been running since middle school.
In high school, Whittington ran the 4-by-4 relay, 100 meters and 200 meters. At ETSU she participates in different events.
“I love the javelin,” she said. “It is definitely my favorite event. It makes you feel so powerful.”
Whittington also competes in the heptathlon.
“You have to be decent at all of the events, and you have to find middle ground in every event,” she said. “I consider myself a work in progress.”
Whether it is on stage at a beauty pageant or an everyday situation, Whittington reveals her true inner beauty.
“I want people to see who I am and what I stand for,” she said. “I want them to see Christ in my life. Hopefully, this will help bring other people to Christ. He is the center of my life.”
After winning Miss Johnson City, Whittington spoke to many people, including girls.
“When I talk to little girls, I want them to see a girl that they think is a princess and an untouchable person,” she said. “I am a normal person just like them.”
Whittington’s dream is to become a doctor. “Everyday I want to become a better person,” she said. “Medicine is my future.”

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