JACKSON, Tenn.– Friday night marks the last night of the preliminary rounds for the Miss Volunteer America Pageant.
The first ever Miss Volunteer America, Alexa Knutzen, took some time from her schedule to share how it’s been to see the growth from when she began until now.
“It’s so surreal to be here and to see women from all over the country to come together for not only the opportunities I had but more opportunities. It so amazing to see the program grow every single year and become this powerhouse of an organization,” Alexa Knutzen, Miss Volunteer America of 2023, shares.
Currently Knutzen works behind the scenes of the pageant in production.
51 contestants this evening competed in one of the three categories of talent, fitness and wellness, and evening gown.
Overall she says she’s so proud of how far the organization has grown.
“Honestly want to say how proud I am of Miss Volunteer America and the philanthropic ventures that they’re on, with the salvation army or St. Jude. We’re not just an organization that’s about the glitz and the glam,” she adds.
Tonight was the last night that family and friends could vote for people’s choice.
This is just one out of many ways contestants can receive a prize aside from the crown.
“Something that’s super amazing about Miss Volunteer America it’s not just the winner takes all. There are opportunities for either preliminary awards or exactly like you said educational awards that these girls get either financial. Like scholarship dollars to go towards education which I think is amazing because this organization is about building all women up,” Knutzen says.
She shares each year is amazing because she’s meeting so many talented young ladies.
“I feel like I learn so much from them. They are funny, they are humble, smart, incredibly, talented and beautiful from the inside out. I just feel so lucky to watch this journey unfold for so many of them and I am so proud of them,” she shares.
Saturday night at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, one lucky lady will take home the crown and the title as Miss Volunteer America.