Miss Tennessee
Media and Press room
New Leadership of Miss Tennessee Competition Announced January 22, 2025
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The Miss Tennessee Competition has new state leadership under Dr. Colene Trent as its CEO/Executive Director. Trent has served as the Executive Director of Miss Tennessee for the past four years and will now fill the role of CEO as well.
Trent plans to leverage her knowledge of the program and her experience in education and leadership to further the organization's mission of providing professional development and scholarship opportunities to young women across Tennessee. "I am passionate about this organization because I am a product of it. My own participation in local and state competitions as a college student provided me with over $50,000 in scholarships which ultimately allowed me to receive ten years of higher education completely debt free,” said Trent. “It is my privilege to lead our organization to ensure that these opportunities continue to be available for the young women of our state.”
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The Miss Tennessee Competition is celebrating its seventy-second year and crowned its most recent winner, Carley Vogel, in June of 2024. Vogel, a senior at Middle Tennessee State University, said, “A strength of the Miss America Opportunity is its volunteer leadership, and I am excited to continue working with Colene and to see what the future holds for our organization.” Vogel competed for the coveted title of Miss America in early January, earning second runner-up and $13,000 in college scholarships. Vogel had previously received over $45,000 in scholarships from her participation in local and state Miss America programs.
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Trent, a tenured Professor of Economics, says the program will focus on increasing its state-wide visibility, enhancing community and donor relationships, and expanding its local programs. “The Miss America brand is iconic. I am honored to preserve and celebrate its legacy by directing the program here in Tennessee and creating a high-quality, transformational experience for our contestants.”
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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.
PRESS RELEASE: Miss Tennessee finishes Second Runner-Up to Miss America January 7, 2025
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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