Miss Volunteer America contestants visit Jackson Rotary Club

JACKSON, Tenn. — 50 women from across the United States gathered for lunch and got a chance to mingle and introduce themselves to members of the Jackson Rotary Club.

The Jackson Rotary Club welcomed the Miss Volunteer America contestants at the First United Methodist Church Wednesday.

Guest speaker was Hanah Perrigan, from Mississippi, who was crowned Miss Volunteer America 2023.

The women introduced themselves, shared their current occupation, and educational backgrounds.

A fun fact, each of the 5 points on the crown one will soon wear, represent a principle in the organization’s mission.

Those principles are scholarship, education, responsibility volunteerism, and empowerment.

The first letter of each of those five principles spell S.E.R.V.E.

Kayla Willing, Miss Maryland Volunteer, speaks to her S.E.R.V.E. Initiative.

It pairs instruction with mentorship and started at 19 years old when she hiked the Himalayas.

“I realized the middle of a journey is actually often the hardest part. So what my S.E.R.V.E. initiative does is it pairs someone with a mentor to push them through to the other side to the hardest part,” said Willing.

Noelle Lo, Miss Massachusetts Volunteer, centers her serve initiative around inspiring youth with activism.

“Activism and volunteerism isn’t always just your traditional going maybe to the animal shelter, feeding the homeless. But, sometimes it’s what you are passionate about and how you can change the world by doing what you love,” said Lo.

The women also shared they have been grateful for the hospitality Jackson has shown to them.

Preliminary rounds of the competition start this evening, beginning at 7:00. p.m.

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