Tonya graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and East Tennessee State University with degrees in Mathematics and Education. She is currently a Fire Protection Engineer. 

Tonya has been involved in pageants from the time she was 4 years old. She has also been a majorette since the age of 3, twirling in high school and college.  

Tonya is married with one daughter and one stepdaughter. She enjoys being a wife and mother more than anything.