In a remarkable journey from her hometown of Ellisville to the national spotlight, 18-year-old Izzy Karns is set to represent Mississippi in the upcoming Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant. The event is scheduled to take place from March 6 to March 8, 2025, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee.
A Community’s Pride
Karns, an alumna of Oak Grove High School and Pearl River Community College, is currently pursuing her studies at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her dedication to service and leadership has not gone unnoticed; her community recently organized a heartfelt send-off celebration in her honor.
“I truly could not do this without a village,” Karns expressed with gratitude. “They always say it takes a village, and that is so true. I appreciate those people, and I feel their love and support; it means the world to me.”
Guidance and Mentorship
Central to Karns’ preparation is her pageant coach, Kimber Smith, who has been instrumental in honing her skills and confidence. Smith remarked, “She truly has a heart of gold and a heart of service, and it’s something I try to teach my clients. But with Izzy, it’s something that’s within her, and I’ve seen that just flourish throughout these past couple of years.”
A History of Service
Karns’ commitment to volunteerism is evident through her extensive work with organizations like The Salvation Army. Major Jerry Friday, Commander of The Salvation Army Gulf Coast Area Command, noted, “Izzy has supported the work and the ministry of The Salvation Army across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, actually across the state of Mississippi.”
In addition to her work with The Salvation Army, Karns has been actively involved in promoting safe driving among teens. Collaborating with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, she has championed the D.R.I.V.E. (Driving Requires Initiative, Values, and Education) campaign, aiming to reduce teen driving fatalities in the state. “I think it’s really important to set down our phones while driving because no text message or Snapchat notification will ever be worth somebody’s life,” Karns emphasized.
The Road to the Crown
Karns’ journey to the national stage began when she was crowned Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer in 2024. Reflecting on her achievement, she shared, “This is something I’ve worked for for so long, so to see my dreams come to fruition is remarkable.”
The Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant is a nationwide, service-oriented scholarship program based in Tennessee. It seeks to empower young women across the country through educational scholarships and extraordinary opportunities. The organization emphasizes five key principles: Scholarship, Education, Responsibility, Volunteerism, and Empowerment.
Anticipation Builds
As the pageant dates approach, excitement within Karns’ community and beyond continues to build. Steve Stockton, executive director of the Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer pageant, expressed confidence in Karns’ potential, stating, “She knows what the job of being Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer is. She is service-oriented. She gets the volunteer aspect.”
For those interested in supporting Karns and witnessing the culmination of her hard work, the pageant will be streamed live on the official Miss Volunteer America website.
A Bright Future Ahead
Regardless of the pageant’s outcome, Karns’ unwavering dedication to service and her community has already solidified her as a role model for young women across Mississippi and the nation. Her journey exemplifies the profound impact of community support, mentorship, and a steadfast commitment to making a difference.
As she steps onto the national stage, Mississippi stands proudly behind Izzy Karns, confident that her passion and dedication will shine brightly, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
(Source : newsbreak.com)
