The Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant returned to the Carl Perkins Civic Center on Thursday evening, where 51 young women are competing for the coveted crown.
The preliminary night kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem by long-time pageant supporter Mal Matthews while Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2018 winner Christine Electra Williamson was the evening’s host.
The winner will be the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship and Miss Volunteer America CEO Allison Alderson-Demarcus says the seven judges are looking for the most well-rounded young lady to take home the crown.
Competition scores are based on four categories, talent, interview, fitness and wellness, and evening gown, totaling 25% each.
Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer Izzy Karns hugs Miss Teen Volunteer Anna Grace Loudenbeck after being awarded as a preliminary winner during night one of the 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant hosted inside Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025.
On Thursday night, Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer Izzy Karns won the fitness and wellness competition and Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer Abi Howard won the talent portion.
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Representing all 50 states and Washington, DC, the teen competition is for girls between the ages of 13 and 18, complete with all the same glitz and glamour as the Miss Volunteer America pageant.
Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer Abi Howard reacts as she is named a preliminary winner during night one of the 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant hosted inside Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025.
During Wednesday night rehearsals, reigning Miss Teen Volunteer America Anna Grace Loudenbeck reflected on her year as a titleholder and her guiding mission of “authenticity.”
“You can be a normal girl and have a great job like being Miss Teen Volunteer America, you don’t have to grow up in it to achieve it,” Loudenbeck said. “Besides that, your success is not defined by a crown that’s placed on your head, rather the ambition, the drive, and the compassion that you show other people through what you do.”
Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer Abi Howard hugs Miss Teen Volunteer Anna Grace Loudenbeck as she is named a preliminary winner during night one of the 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant hosted inside Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Thursday, Mar. 6, 2025.
Though the competition framework remains the same, Demarcus says that each class of girls “takes a different feel” and that the talent portion showcases new things each year. This year, drumming, a clarinet ensemble, and archery are among the most unique showcases.
“We have a young lady that’s doing archery this year, so that’s something that’s new and different for us,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of dancers and a lot of really, really talented girls so I’m anxious to see how they do and what their personalities are like now that they’re here in person. It’s interesting, some of it is more the same but still, they’re all so different and bring something unique to their title and to the experience.”
The pageant begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with finals starting at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing here.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant draws 51 contestants to Jackson TN
