Jada Brown captures the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Crown
For Miss Lane College Jada Brown, first time’s the charm, as she is crowned the new Miss Tennessee Volunteer on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee. In her first year of competition and representing Lane College as Miss Lane College, Brown is a 21-year-old senior biology major with a minor in chemistry at Lane College. She wowed the judges in five areas of competition, including talent, private interview, swimsuit, evening gown, and on-stage question to take home the state title.
The Miss Tennessee Volunteer crown comes with many perks – with the opportunity to travel the state as the official representative for character education. The Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant, prize package includes an $11,000 scholarship and use of a car for her year of traveling from Jerry Ward Autoplex of Union City, plus a wardrobe from Joann’s of Tennessee.
“I am thrilled to represent Tennessee and my contestant class as Miss Tennessee Volunteer,” Brown says. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
In addition to speaking to over 70,000 school children and civic clubs across the state, Brown will also dedicate time to support her personal platform, “The Beauty Within Our Hands. Once her year of service is complete, Brown will use her scholarship earnings to pursue her dental healthcare professional degree to become a dental hygienist.
While Brown may have captured the crown and scholarship money, there were 35 additional incredibly intelligent and talented young women who will take home scholarships to further their education and professional goals.
Additional finalists in the pageant included:
- 1st runner-up: Kara Short, Miss Mid-South—taking home $7,000 in scholarships
- 2nd runner-up: Erin Sharp, Miss Germantown—receiving $8,000 in scholarships for Top Five Placement, Talent Preliminary Award, and the Public Relations Award
- 3rd runner-up: D’Ambrah, Miss Midtown—receiving $5,000 in scholarships
- 4th runner-up: Lydia Waldrop, Miss Mid-South Fair—receiving $5,000 in scholarships for Top Five Placement, and Talent Preliminary Award
Top 10 finalists included (in no particular order):
- Miss Knoxville, Kelsi Walters –taking home $3,000 in scholarships for Top Ten placement and the Community Service Award
- Miss Murfreesboro, Jordynne Tucker—receiving $3,000 in scholarships for Top Ten placement and Lifestyle and Fitness Preliminary Award
- Miss Nashville, Mary Humphrey—was awarded $3,000 in scholarships for Top Ten placement and Lifestyle and Fitness Preliminary Award
- Miss Tipton County, Gracelyn Eaves—receiving $3,000 in scholarships for Top Ten placement and Lifestyle and Fitness Preliminary Award
- Miss West Tennessee, Kim Gordon—receiving $2,000 in scholarships
Top 12 finalists included (in no particular order & both receiving $2,750 in scholarships for Top Twelve placement and a Lifestyle & Fitness preliminary award)
- Miss Fall Fest, Emma Martin
- Miss Northwest TN, Emily Pennington
Top 15 finalists included (in no particular order)
- Miss Davidson County, Carsyn Hughes—taking home $1,600 for Top 15 placement
- Miss Memphis, Kataen Shockley—receiving $1,600 for Top 15 placement
- Miss Queen City, Gracyn VanWinkle (also winning the People’s Choice Award)—receiving $1,600 in scholarships
Non-finalist awards as well as academic and community service awards are also awarded. Each contestant receives a minimum of a $500 scholarship from the local program and at least $1,000 in scholarships for participating at the state level.
In total, the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant awarded more than $89,000 scholarship dollars to its 36 contestants. Paige Clark, Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2023, crowned Brown.
“We are so proud to continue our mission in supporting the young women of Tennessee through awarding college scholarships, recognizing their achievements in academics, and community involvement, and inspiring thousands of schoolchildren across the state,” says Emily Anne Sparks, Miss Tennessee Volunteer Co-Executive Director. “I know Jada will add to the exceptional legacy Paige has set forth.”
For appearance or interview requests for Miss Tennessee Volunteer, please contact Rachel Nall, Miss Tennessee Volunteer Business Manager, at MissTNBusinessManager@gmail.com.
