The Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant came to a close on Saturday evening with Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer Izzy Karns taking home the coveted crown.
Karns, the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship and Thursday’s fitness and wellness competition winner, is the organization’s newest titleholder.
Upon making it to the final five on-stage interview component and donning a sparkly, lavender gown, Karns touched on her service initiative, “Choose Rescue,” when asked about a cause she is passionate about.
Speaking from personal experience in adopting a shelter animal, she encouraged others to do the same.
Newly crowned Miss Teen Volunteer America Izzy Karns waves to the crowd during the final night of the 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant hosted inside Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025.
“It’s where I advocate for shelter pets and shelter pet adoption,” she said. “When I was growing up, I struggled a lot because my parents were separated and that was very difficult for me.
“I felt like I lacked a sense of stability, and I felt like I needed a sense of hope, but whenever I found my shelter dog Lola, and I brought her home with me, I found that sense of hope.”
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The evening opened with 15 young women moving into Saturday’s final day of competition, while the People’s Choice awardee was presented to Miss New Hampshire Teen Volunteer Sienna Muccioli.
After the fitness and wellness portion, 12 advanced to talent before a final 10 were chosen to compete in the evening gown portion.
Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer Abi Howard, Miss Alabama Teen Volunteer Lois Ann Wester, Miss New York Teen Volunteer Addie Rose Castleberry, and Miss North Carolina Teen Volunteer Hayden Pearson accompanied Karns in the final five.
Karns succeeds last year’s winner, Anna Grace Loudenbeck, whose guiding purpose was “authenticity.”
2025 Miss Teen Volunteer America Anna Grace Loudenbeck places the crown on the new Miss Teen Volunteer Izzy Karns during the final night of the 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America Pageant hosted inside Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Saturday, Mar. 8, 2025.
Additional award winners announced
Miss Tennessee Teen Volunteer Kristin Henning was selected for the $1,000 Public Relations Award, a designation given to the contestant who best spreads the word of the Miss Volunteer America organization.
Miss Florida Teen Volunteer Jordan Rabon was a non-finalist award winner who connected best with the judges panel during the private interview.
On Thursday night, Miss Nebraska Teen Volunteer Abi Howard won the talent portion. Castleberry won fitness and wellness and Muccioli took home the talent win on Friday.
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: The 2026 Miss Teen Volunteer America crown goes to Miss Mississippi
