Rachel Shumaker wins the first Miss Mississippi Volunteer Scholarship Pageant

Rachel Shumaker, Miss Northeast Mississippi, was crowned the first 2021 Miss Mississippi Volunteer Scholarship Pageant at the end of the finals, held on July 10th, 2021 at the Performing Arts Center in Tupelo. She will represent the Magnolia State at the inaugural edition of Miss Volunteer America, to take place in May 2022 in Jackson.  “I’m so happy to be able to serve as the first ever Miss Mississippi Volunteer,” Shumaker said. “This is truly an honor.“

Shumaker’s platform is called “I am Titanium”, inspired by the lyrics of the song “Titanium.”

Her platform is based on her personal story of overcoming scoliosis and empowering people to overcome obstacles. Shumaker will also be a spokeswoman for Mississippi Highway Patrol’s DRIVE campaign, which stands for Driving Requires Initiative, Values, and Education. That campaign aims to help reduce the number of teen driving fatalities statewide.

“I’m so excited to work for the Mississippi Highway Patrol promoting the DRIVE campaign but also to work with this incredible team of volunteers, that’s what Miss Volunteer America is all about, is volunteerism, I’m really excited to recruit more girls to participate in this organization, it’s been an incredible week here in Tupelo and I want as many young women as possible in Mississippi to have this opportunity,” said Shumaker.

The five day event, which was held at Tupelo High School, featured different areas of competition such as interviews, talent show, evening gown, swimsuit and on stage questioning. Miss Mississippi Volunteer, a nonprofit organization based in Amory, is a statewide service oriented scholarship program. The goal of the program is to empower young women by way of education and creating opportunity.

“This group of young women competing this week, who have believed in our mission and trusted us to deliver life — changing opportunities, will always hold a special place in our hearts,” Stockton added. “They are and will forever be the first contestants in the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant.”

On Thursday, Anniston Carson was the inaugural winner of the Miss Mississippi Jr Princess Volunteer and Saylor Hunt won the Miss Mississippi Preteen Princess Volunteer winner.

On Friday afternoon, Claire Ulmer was crowned as the winner of the 2021 Miss Mississippi Princess Volunteer competition. Ulmer will move on the USA preliminary pageant in Tunica. Miss Brandon Teen Volunteer Mary Kate Nelson took home the title of Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer.