Miss Tennessee Valley wins crown in Miss TN Volunteer pageant

Saturday night marked the crowning of a new Miss Tennessee Volunteer titleholder, Miss Tennessee Valley Hannah McKay.

The recipient of $10,000 in scholarship money the Seymour, Tennessee native, McKay says the Volunteer organization is near and dear to her heart.

"I'm so proud to be a Tennessean and so to where this organization and to wear this state across my chest means everything to me," she said.

McKay is no stranger to pageants and has been competing since she was 11. Her advice to younger prospective pageant contestants is to believe in themselves and lean into the support system that pageants provide.

"The worries and the doubts that you have in your mind telling you that you can not do it are not true and I think that is the beauty of pageantry, that we are surrounded by such strong and empowering women that pour into you and, truly, pageantry causes you to dig deep and to find that confidence in yourself and that resiliency," she said.

Her platform of "music and memories" promotes meaningful connections to senior adults with Alzheimer's and dementia through the power of music. McKay plans to continue her advocacy work as she assumes her new title as Miss Tennessee Volunteer.

On the last night of the pageant, McKay made it to the final five before being crowned the winner. Her talent showcased a vocal performance of Jennifer Hudson's "The Impossible Dream."

Scoring is based on four categories each worth 25%: fitness and wellness, talent, evening gown, and private interview. McKay won in a tie for Lifestyle and Fitness on Friday evening.

McKay replaces Jada Brown as the titleholder and will represent The Volunteer State in the Miss Volunteer America pageant in 2025.

The non-finalist talent winner was Alyssa Moore, Miss Rutherford County Volunteer.

"I truly believe in the power of pageantry and what it does for young women," McKay said. "The benefits, the opportunities, and the growth, pageantry truly sets women up to be the next generation of leaders."

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: Miss Tennessee Valley wins crown in Miss TN Volunteer pageant