Miss Volunteer America Contestants Inspire Jackson Rotary Club On a sunny afternoon, the Jackson Rotary Club welcomed the charming contestants of the Miss Volunteer America pageant. Clad in elegant gowns and beaming with confidence, the young women shared their stories of service and aspirations for the future. Sarah Thomas, Miss Mississippi Volunteer America, captivated the audience with her passion for mentoring underprivileged youth. “Every child deserves to feel valued and empowered,” she said. “Through my role as a mentor, I strive to provide them with a positive outlet and support their dreams.” Katrina Phillips, Miss Louisiana Volunteer America, highlighted the importance of promoting mental health awareness. “Depression and anxiety affect countless individuals, but they often go untreated because of stigma,” she explained. “My mission is to break the silence and empower people to seek help.” The contestants’ eloquence and dedication left a lasting impression on the Rotary Club members. “It’s truly inspiring to see young women who are so committed to making a difference in their communities,” said club president John Smith. During a Q&A session, the audience learned about the contestants’ goals and how they planned to use the Miss Volunteer America platform to further their advocacy. “I believe that service is a lifelong journey,” said Ashley James, Miss Georgia Volunteer America. “As Miss Volunteer America, I hope to create a ripple effect of compassion and inspire others to embrace the power of giving back.” The Jackson Rotary Club was honored to host the Miss Volunteer America contestants and hear their inspiring messages. The event served as a reminder of the transformative power of service and the importance of supporting young leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on the world.In Jackson, Tennessee, 51 women from across the United States gathered for a luncheon to introduce themselves and socialize with members of the Jackson Rotary Club.
In Jackson, Tennessee, 51 women from across the United States gathered for a luncheon to introduce themselves and socialize with members of the Jackson Rotary Club. The occasion was hosted at the First United Methodist Church on Wednesday and included a special address by Hanah Perrigan, Miss Volunteer America 2023 from Mississippi. Each woman took turns introducing themselves, sharing their current professions, and educational backgrounds. A fun fact shared was that the five points on the crown worn by the winner represent principles in the organization’s mission: science, education, responsibility, volunteering, and empowerment. The acronym for these five principles is SERVE. Kayla Willing, Miss Maryland Volunteer, highlighted her SERVE Initiative, which combines instruction with mentorship and began when she hiked the Himalayas at age 19. “I realized that the middle of a journey is actually often the hardest part. So, what my SERVE initiative does is pair someone with a mentor to push them to the other side, to the hardest part,” Willing said. Noelle Lo, Miss Massachusetts Volunteer, focuses her service initiative on inspiring youth activism. “Activism and volunteerism are not always the traditional way of going to the animal shelter and feeding the homeless. But sometimes it’s about what you’re passionate about and how you can change the world by doing what you love,” Lo said. The women expressed their gratitude for the hospitality shown to them in Jackson. The preliminary rounds of the competition were scheduled to begin that evening at 7 p.m.
Miss Volunteer America contestants visited the Jackson Rotary Club on Thursday, June 23, 2023. The contestants are in Jackson for the Miss Volunteer America pageant, which will be held on Saturday, June 25th, 2023 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. The contestants were introduced to the Rotary Club members by pageant director, Mark Anthony. Each contestant spoke about their platform and why they are passionate about volunteering. The contestants are: * Miss Alabama, Emily Jane Smith * Miss Arkansas, Sarah Beth Williamson * Miss California, Jessica Marie Jones * Miss Colorado, Alexandria Marie Miller * Miss Connecticut, Emily Rose Smith * Miss Delaware, Sarah Elizabeth Jones * Miss Florida, Victoria Rose Garcia * Miss Georgia, Katherine Grace Johnson * Miss Hawaii, Alison Lei Kenolio * Miss Idaho, Emma Kate Bradshaw * Miss Illinois, Sarah Beth Johnson * Miss Indiana, Emily Rose Jones * Miss Iowa, Sarah Elizabeth Anderson * Miss Kansas, Victoria Rose Miller * Miss Kentucky, Alexandra Marie Smith * Miss Maine, Katherine Grace Kenolio * Miss Maryland, Alison Lei Jones The Rotary Club members were very impressed with the contestants and their commitment to volunteering. The contestants are all role models for young people and are making a positive impact in their communities. The Miss Volunteer America pageant is a scholarship pageant that recognizes young women who are committed to volunteering. The pageant is open to women ages 18 to 25 who have volunteered at least 500 hours in their communities. The winner of the pageant will receive a $10,000 scholarship and will go on to represent the United States at the Miss World pageant.
