Page 28 - MISS TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER 2022

To my family and friends,
You guys are my rock and the best support system one could ever ask for. Thank you for loving me and believing in me no matter what. I would not be where I am today without you all. From the moment I was crowned until now, there has not been one day where I haven’t felt encouraged, accepted, and celebrated and I will never be able to thank you guys enough for all of the support you have shown me.
To Mrs. Allison, Jane, Amy, and Mr. Chris Chambers, I am so blessed to
have met you all three years ago when I was first introduced to the Volunteer Organization. Thank you for dedicating so much of your time and effort to this wonderful organization that is changing the lives of young women every single day. Throughout this past year, I have felt embraced and I am so thankful for that. I have been presented with so many amazing opportunities as Miss Tennessee Volunteer, and it is because of you all. I cannot wait to continue supporting this organization like it has supported me.
To Scott and Luis, it has been such a privilege getting to grow close to you guys throughout my year. Traveling to Nashville was always something I looked forward to, because it not only meant getting to spend time with you guys, but also, sweet Miles and precious Nico. You welcomed me with open arms, and I feel so blessed to call you guys family.
To Christine, you have been a role-model and an inspiration to not only me, but
to so many young women, and I am so proud to know you and call you a friend. I appreciate all of your guidance and support that you have shown me throughout my year. Your ability to uplift those around you and make them feel important is beautiful and I look up to you in more ways than you know. Thank you for paving the way for this new organization and for young women across the nation – we are all so thankful for you. Our journeys would not have been possible without you.
To The Sparks’ Family, thank you for everything you have done for me and for young women across the state of Tennessee. I feel so blessed that we got to spend the year together. You guys have never failed to make me laugh when I needed it, and have consistently shown me love and support. I am truly blessed to have been welcomed by your family.
To The Miss Tennessee Volunteer Board, I feel so honored to have had the
opportunity to work with you all during my year as Miss Tennessee Volunteer. Your constant dedication to presenting opportunities to young women across the state of Tennessee and helping us further our education does not go unnoticed. Thank you so much for all of your support, I am truly so grateful for each and every one of you.
To Mal Matthews, thank you for embracing me and my family from the moment that
I was crowned. Every time I see you, I can’t help but smile. Thank you for sending us Bible verses every single day and sharing God’s love with everyone that you cross paths with. You are such a light!
To Jerry and Summer, thank you both for everything that you have done for me and this organization. It was always such a privilege getting to see you guys at every preliminary, and I’m so happy that I had the opportunity to grow closer with you this past year. I truly appreciate all that you guys do. Love you!
To Paige Dennis, to know you is to love you. Paige, thank you for supporting me throughout my pageant journey, supplying me with the best wardrobe, and most importantly, for introducing me to the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Organization. This organization has changed my life and I am so grateful that our paths crossed, because if they hadn’t, I would not be where I am today.
To Darren and Gina, visiting Jackson and getting to see you guys was always such a treat. Thank you both for consistently supporting and believing in this program. We are so lucky to have you, and I feel so blessed that I had the privilege of getting to work with two incredibly talented and amazing individuals. Darren, the pictures that you have captured are mementos that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
To Jerry Ward and Todd Petty, thank you so much for sponsoring a vehicle for my travels throughout the state of Tennessee. Not only was I riding in style, but I was safe, and I am so grateful for your sponsorship. The Miss Tennessee Volunteer Organization is so lucky to have your support.
To Rachel Nall, there are simply no words that will ever be able to express how grateful I am for you and all of your hard-work. Thank you for working tirelessly and dedicating your time to finding appearances for me and other ways that I could have an impact on my community. You are so giving, kind, and passionate about helping others and it truly inspires me. This organization is so lucky to have you.
To Tiffany Napier, I love you so much! I am beyond grateful that you reached out
to me four years ago asking me to compete in a preliminary pageant that you were directing. Thank you for staying by my side throughout this journey and believing in me every step of the way. Thank you for helping me in any way that I need, and most importantly for being a second mom to me, a mentor, and a best friend.
To Chris Saltalamacchio, Paula Gaye Montgomery-Swindle, and Susan Downs,
thank you guys for all of the hours that you put into helping me prepare for my national interview. I felt so confident and excited to share my passions and
beliefs with the judges. 26
To David and Mishana, thank you for helping out in any way that you could.
The impromptu interview lessons and visits to your schools in Chattanooga are moments that I am very grateful for. Thank you for being a part of my team as I prepped for nationals.
To Rodney and Keith, from the moment I met you guys in August of 2019, I felt so special. Thank you for not only being wonderful directors during my two years
as Miss Scenic City, but for staying by my side during my year as Miss Tennessee Volunteer. I felt prepared, confident, and at my best during the week of Miss Volunteer America and it is because of you guys. Not only have you guys dedicated so much of your time and effort toward me and my success, but to this organization
as a whole, and we are so grateful for that. Thank you for pushing me to be the best version of myself and for always encouraging me to stand up for what I believe in. Being a Rodney’s Girl is something that I am so very proud to be, and I feel so blessed to know that you guys will continue supporting me wherever God leads me next.
To Local Directors, thank you for the love and dedication that you have not only shown to me, but to all of the young women who are competing in this program. I had such a wonderful time traveling to all of your preliminary pageants. I appreciate all of the support that you, and your local titleholders, have shown me throughout my year and especially during the week of the national pageant.
To The Miss AK, AR, KY, NH, NM, SC, and WA Volunteer Organizations, thank you
for trusting me with the honor of being a part of your inaugural programs. Whether I was performing, emceeing, or helping out backstage, visiting your state pageants are some of my favorite memories as Miss Tennessee Volunteer. This organization is one that I love so dearly, and I feel so blessed that I was able to contribute to its growth.
To The Inaugural Miss Volunteer America Class, each and every one of you inspired me and enriched my life in so many ways. The week of the very first Miss Volunteer America Pageant was such an incredible experience and I am
so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet and make history with all 46 of
you. It was truly amazing to be surrounded by so many intelligent, talented, and outstanding young women. I left Jackson feeling inspired and excited to continue being a leader in my community.
A special shoutout to Alexa, Miss Utah Volunteer, now Miss Volunteer America,
and Tori, Miss South Carolina Volunteer – I love you guys so much and am so proud to now call you some of my closest friends. Thank you for loving and supporting me throughout the week. I look up to you both so much and am excited to continue following your journeys through life.
To Reagan and Mary, it was such an honor getting to spend my year as Miss Tennessee Volunteer with you both. You have represented Tennessee so beautifully and have inspired more people than you know. I cannot wait to see what the next chapter of your lives’ will bring!
To Annelize, I am so lucky to not only call you my sister, but my best friend.
Thank you for traveling with me across the state of Tennessee to all of my school appearances and capturing all of the special moments. Getting to share my year with you is something that I hold close to my heart. Thank you for always cheering me on, making me laugh until I cry, loving me unconditionally, and continuously reminding me that there is nothing more important than staying true to who I am. I love you.
To Mom and Dad, I have been told many times that I hit the jackpot when it came to parents, and let me tell you, that couldn’t be more true. Thank you for always supporting me in every dream that I’ve had. There have been countless times that you have believed in me when I couldn’t. From traveling with me all the way to Alaska for the Miss Alaska Volunteer Pageant to staying up all night with me finalizing my paperwork, you are truly the best pageant parents. Nothing compares to the love you both have shown me in every step of this journey. I am where I am today because of you guys, and I strive to make you proud in everything that I do. I love you both so much.
My year as Miss Tennessee Volunteer is a year that I will forever look back on and smile. Traveling across this beautiful state, and nation, and having the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life has been eye-opening, inspiring, and crucial in my growth as a young woman. From a young age, I struggled with feeling included and accepted, and that’s one of the reasons why I chose to speak about treating others with love when I visited schools. Seeing students light up when I spoke to them about the importance of celebrating their uniqueness are moments that I will never forget. If there is one thing that I hope people will remember about me and my reign, it is that I will always be an advocate for everyone around me. There is nothing more beautiful than loving and accepting those around you, regardless of any differences.
I have so much love for this program and was so honored to represent the incredible state of Tennessee at the Miss Volunteer America Pageant. Thank you all for believing in me and loving me. I am forever grateful.
Love,
Amelia Collins
Miss Tennessee Volunteer