Miss Volunteer America Pageant

NEXT STOP IN THE TENNESSEE TOUR (3)

How do you get a tan when it's pouring rain in Nashville (like it was)? 🤔☔️

Easy! Visit Sun Tan City!

Being an incredible sponsor of Miss Volunteer America, Sun Tan City kept us titleholders shining all week long with complimentary spray tans during competition...and I get to take advantage of that generosity for another year, since the national titleholder (omg me haha!) receives a VIP MEMBERSHIP throughout my service! Wow!

From unlimited spray tanning options to numerous wellness services, Sun Tan City focuses on making you look and feel your best. So, rain may have been pouring outside today, but inside, the Sun Tan City team was helping to bring a little sunshine.

It's the perfect partnership for a year filled with appearances, service, and travel...speaking of which, just had the MOST exciting day up in Fulton, TN. Stay tuned 👀

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&Beautiful

NEXT STOP (2)...

A little cake mix, a few decorations, a giant container of frosting, some handmade cards...and a whole lot of care ❤️

During competition week, we state titleholders came together at a luncheon sponsored by Ms. Belinda to create birthday blessing bags for families served by The Salvation Army in the Nashville area. Each bag was filled with everything needed to make a birthday feel special: cake mix and baking essentials, themed plates/cups, cute decorations, gift favors, etc. Not only did we have fun making these bags, but that fun will be waiting for the recipient 🥳

Today, we had the joy of delivering those bags! Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness create the largest reasons to celebrate...because every kid should feel special & loved on their birthday 🎂

So proud of the MVA class of 2026, our sisterhood is already making a difference!

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✨ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT ✨

We are honored to recognize Belinda Arender, a Royal Coronation Club Sponsor of the Miss Volunteer America Scholarship Foundation.

Belinda’s generous financial support helps make it possible for us to continue empowering young women through scholarships, education, and service opportunities. Her investment in our mission is invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for her commitment to the Miss Volunteer America organization.

Beyond her sponsorship, Belinda plays an active role on our national staff, serving as a traveling companion to our National Titleholders throughout the year.

Just this past week, Belinda sponsored our Philanthropic Luncheon, where our state titleholders assembled birthday bags for The Salvation Army, helping spread joy and celebrate others through service.

Belinda’s generosity extends far beyond financial support—she gives her time, talents, and heart to our organization every day. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as both a Royal Coronation Club Sponsor and a valued member of our national staff.

Thank you, Belinda, for your unwavering support of the Miss Volunteer America Scholarship Foundation and the young women we serve. 💙

Breaking news...my year as Miss Volunteer America is off to a crazy busy start 🤍 from sponsor meetings to news interviews, I have been able to express my love, appreciation, and – of course – excitement to be a representative of this amazing organization.
Yesterday, as I sat under the studio lights, I couldn't help but think about all the moments that led here...the volunteer hours, the fundraising efforts, the prayers, the setbacks, and the people who never stopped believing in me. So grateful and, more than anything, so ready to continue our work!

Shoutout to Belinda Shows Arender for being the best out there. We're gonna have a fabulous year!

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There are some moments in life that leave you searching for words.

This is one of them.

A crown is never earned alone. This moment belongs to every person who helped shape the proud woman I was able to become.

To the judges – thank you for seeing my heart for service and my passion for results...thank you for believing in my mission and in my intentions.

To the DeMarcus family, Scott Hilburn, my hostesses including Gina and Michelle, the production team including Frank and Alexa, and every other board member, volunteer, and director – thank you for creating a program that celebrates substance just as much as sparkle. This past week was far greater than a competition; it was a community built on the belief of empowerment and the foundation of service.

To the city of Jackson, thank you for welcoming us with open arms. Somewhere between eating green beans at the Brooks Shaw's Old Country Store and meeting the members of the Jackson Rotary Club, this area became a second home.

To the state titleholders – it is an absolute privilege to be the representative of such an amazing, beautiful, distinguished class of ladies. Thank you for every early morning rehearsal pep talk, every late-night cuddle as we freeeeeezed backstage, every laugh, every hug...our every moment will turn into a cherished memory.

To my Texas family – Mike, Aurie, and Thomas. Mark Beaubouef. Donna and Mike Berry. Bethany and her sweet girls. Mark Johnson and Billie Bedsole. My teen queen Lily and Heather Hays. Larissa and Fernando Wong from Shimmer Boutique. My family, my friends, my sponsors, my supporters...thank you for believing in me during the moments I wasn't sure I even believed in myself.

Somewhere tonight, a girl is dreaming a dream that feels impossible. I know, because I was her...looking out my airplane window, wearing little makeup and my work uniform, wondering if I could ever make a difference again. Well, if these pictures prove anything, it's that extraordinary things can happen when ordinary people choose to seek purpose, serve bodly, and uplift others.

Let's make this an extraordinary year!

Love,
Amanda Higginbotham
Miss Volunteer America '27

MUA: 💙

👑 Sponsor Spotlight 👑

The Miss Volunteer America Scholarship Foundation proudly recognizes the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant and Runk & Pratt of Lynchburg, Virginia, as Royal Coronation Sponsors.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Steve Stockton, the Miss Mississippi Volunteer organization continues to make a lasting impact by empowering young women through scholarships, service, and leadership opportunities. Together with Runk & Pratt, their generous support helps further the mission of Miss Volunteer America and provides valuable educational scholarships to young women across the nation.

Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant Runk & Pratt Senior Living Steve Stockton Vickie Pratt Runk Chris Runk

America, I hope I’ve made you proud.

For the last time and forever yours, Miss Volunteer America 2026, Lauren Salimbene✨👑
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