Miss Tennessee finishes Second Runner-Up to Miss America

Miss Tennessee finishes Second Runner-Up to Miss America

A new Miss America was crowned on Sunday, January 5, and Miss Tennessee Carley Vogel had reason to celebrate. She was named as one of the Top 11 semifinalists and ultimately received second-runner up to the coveted title of Miss America. Miss Alabama, Abbie Stockard was crowned the 104th Miss America.

Vogel, a senior at Middle Tennessee State University, was also named a preliminary talent winner, singing Climb Every Mountain and dedicating it to her grandmother, who passed away a month
before she left for the competition. Vogel received $13,000 in scholarships at the Miss America competition to add to the over $45,000 in scholarships she has already received from the past ten years of competing in local and state Miss America Opportunity competitions.

Carley is currently majoring in music business and minoring in musical theatre. A skilled vocalist, Vogel has sung the National Anthem over 200 times and has performed across various genres, including opera, Broadway, modern music, and country. She hopes to one day make it big in Nashville as a country singer.

Beyond her singing, Vogel is a champion and advocate for organ donation. She nearly lost her life at the age of 12, when she was diagnosed with a chronic liver disease. Although Carley was able to
avoid the immediate need for a transplant, there is no guarantee that a liver transplant may not be required in the future. Today, Carley dedicates her efforts to raise awareness for the more than
100,000 individuals in America who are currently waiting for an organ transplant. She has partnered with Donate Life Tennessee and currently has a campaign with the Department of Motor Vehicles in Tennessee.

The Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition is a licensed state program of the Miss America Opportunity whose brand mission is “Empowering Women to Lead”. Miss America and Miss America’s Teen local and state ambassadors contribute thousands of community service hours annually, raising funds for philanthropic partners. To learn more about Miss Tennessee, how to compete, or to book Carley for an appearance, visit misstennessee.org.

For more news across the state, click here.