Miss TN Volunteer returns to Jackson after a year off due to the pandemic

Last year was the first time since 1953 that the Miss Tennessee Volunteer pageant was not in Jackson.

This year the pageant is back in full swing. Thirty-six young women from all across Tennessee are competing at the Carl Perkins civics to become the next miss Tennessee volunteer.

The young women compete for a scholarship to further their education, the title of Miss Tennessee Volunteer, and a five-pointed crown. The five points represent a different principle of the acronym S.E.R.V.E.This stand for scholarship, education, responsibility, volunteerism, and empowerment,

“their really outstanding young women. And not only are they smart, but they have been serving their communities, and its service projects that they have either created themselves or have taken part in things that have been established in their communities already is truly astounding,” says co-executive director Allison Demarcus.

The reigning Miss Tennessee Volunteer Kerrie Arnold enjoys getting to pour back into the program and the girls that are competing,

“I know what this program has done for me personally, it helped change me and to make me the woman I am today. It’s helped me in my speaking, and it’s helped me to go out and better my community, its helped me in so many ways. And I’ve watched these girls come through even since they won their local title and how they’ve changed and they’ve grown.”

One of the young women competing is Rachael Freidrich, Miss Jackson Volunteer and she excited to represent the hub city,

“It makes my heart so happy and I just really hope I get to represent my town well and to make my community proud.”

The pageant runs from 8-10 pm Wednesday through Friday with the finale on Saturday night. Tickets can be purchased from 10 am to 3 pm every day at the civics center or at the door the night of.