Miss Teen Volunteer America holds meet and greet event ahead of the pageant

JACKSON, Tenn. — After check ins and a rehearsal, the contestants of the Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant got to relax and meet their fellow contestants at a local restaurant.

“I feel like throughout the day we see the girls at their initial orientation and then we see them at rehearsals, but all of that is kind of anxious. Everyone’s kind of anxious and on edge and I feel like the mixer is a good opportunity for the girls to mingle and get to know each other,” said Ayzjiahna Woods, the current title holder.

For the contestants, there is a lot of anxiety in the air; most of it is focused around the interview portion of the pageant.

“They don’t know what they’re going to get asked so they are preparing in every aspect. Are they going to ask me about my personal life? Are they going to ask me about my platform? Are they going to ask about…anything and so yeah, the nerves are definitely there to make sure they make a good first impression,” said Shay Wallace, a mother of a contestant from Mississippi.

While Wednesday night they get to unwind and relax, Thursday the girls will interview in the morning and they’ll hit the stage by the end of the night. Night one of the pageant will begin at the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 7 in Thursday evening. Tickets are available online and at the door.