The Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant crowned a new miss titleholder and teen over the weekend.Lauryl Joyner, 19, from Meridian, was crowned Miss Mississippi Volunteer and Izzy Karns, 18, from Ellisville, was crowned Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer. "I am just over the moon. I don't think it's really sank in yet," said Joyner. "This is something I've worked for for so long, so to see my dreams come to fruition is remarkable."Joyner will start her sophom*ore year of college at the University of Southern Mississippi. Karns will join Joyner at USM in the fall as a freshman. Both Joyner and Karns will be able to use their scholarships from the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization to further their education in strategic communications. In 2024 alone, the organization handed out $120,000. Since the start of the organization in 2021, $350,000 has been awarded. Besides furthering young women's educations, the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization promotes volunteerism and inspiring the next generation to volunteer. Each candidate has their own SERVE initiative alongside the state's and national organization's initiatives.For Joyner, her personal initiative is called The Girl Collective, a confidence mentorship program to inspire young women. "I want these women to walk in leadership and resilience and to have the confidence to walk outside the validation of others," said Joyner. Karns' platform is called Choose Rescue, focusing on pet adoption. "We are currently under a nationwide animal welfare crisis. Most shelters are really overwhelmed and overflowing with animals that need homes," said Karns. "I've been able to raise around $19,000 for Mississippi animal shelters through my SERVE initiative."The Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization partners with the Mississippi Highway Patrol on their DRIVE campaign, as Mississippi is in the top five for teen driving fatalities."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," said Karns.Karns was able to work with the Driving for Autumn Organization prior to becoming Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer to create a drive safe, drive happy pledge."We were able to get over 250 signatures while I was a local titleholder. Now as a state titleholder, I have a plan to get 5,000 signatures," said Karns.Joyner said one of her goals with the DRIVE campaign is to provide information to college campuses."With Izzy and I both being at USM, one of our goals is partnering with campus police and sharing the DRIVE campaign to a broader age and demographic." she said.New this year, the national Volunteer Organization has partnered with the Salvation Army. "We were able to visit the Salvation Army during competition week. It was pivotal for us just seeing how much they pour into that organization," said Joyner. "One of my goals during my year is to strengthen the partnership with the Salvation Army statewide. This Miss Volunteer America Organization has a nationwide partnership with the Salvation Army," said Karns. "I was able to volunteer at the Salvation Army during pageant week with all the other contestants. I'm so excited to travel across the state and visit Salvation Armies everywhere I go."Both Karns and Joyner said they are so thankful for the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization."The volunteer organization really requires you to be well-rounded and bring a lot to the table. For me, that was becoming the best version of myself," said Joyner. "I'm excited too that I can lead as an example that your situation, your circ*mstances don't define your success. As long as you put yourself out there and go for your goals, you can accomplish anything you want."Karns will compete at Miss Teen Volunteer America in March in Jackson, Tennessee. Joyner will compete at Miss Volunteer America in June.
JACKSON, Miss. —
The Miss Mississippi Volunteer Pageant crowned a new miss titleholder and teen over the weekend.
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Lauryl Joyner, 19, from Meridian, was crowned Miss Mississippi Volunteer and Izzy Karns, 18, from Ellisville, was crowned Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer.
"I am just over the moon. I don't think it's really sank in yet," said Joyner. "This is something I've worked for for so long, so to see my dreams come to fruition is remarkable."
Joyner will start her sophom*ore year of college at the University of Southern Mississippi. Karns will join Joyner at USM in the fall as a freshman.
Both Joyner and Karns will be able to use their scholarships from the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization to further their education in strategic communications. In 2024 alone, the organization handed out $120,000. Since the start of the organization in 2021, $350,000 has been awarded.
Besides furthering young women's educations, the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization promotes volunteerism and inspiring the next generation to volunteer. Each candidate has their own SERVE initiative alongside the state's and national organization's initiatives.
For Joyner, her personal initiative is called The Girl Collective, a confidence mentorship program to inspire young women.
"I want these women to walk in leadership and resilience and to have the confidence to walk outside the validation of others," said Joyner.
Karns' platform is called Choose Rescue, focusing on pet adoption.
"We are currently under a nationwide animal welfare crisis. Most shelters are really overwhelmed and overflowing with animals that need homes," said Karns. "I've been able to raise around $19,000 for Mississippi animal shelters through my SERVE initiative."
The Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization partners with the Mississippi Highway Patrol on their DRIVE campaign, as Mississippi is in the top five for teen driving fatalities.
"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," said Karns.
Karns was able to work with the Driving for Autumn Organization prior to becoming Miss Mississippi Teen Volunteer to create a drive safe, drive happy pledge.
"We were able to get over 250 signatures while I was a local titleholder. Now as a state titleholder, I have a plan to get 5,000 signatures," said Karns.
Joyner said one of her goals with the DRIVE campaign is to provide information to college campuses.
"With Izzy and I both being at USM, one of our goals is partnering with campus police and sharing the DRIVE campaign to a broader age and demographic." she said.
New this year, the national Volunteer Organization has partnered with the Salvation Army.
"We were able to visit the Salvation Army during competition week. It was pivotal for us just seeing how much they pour into that organization," said Joyner.
"One of my goals during my year is to strengthen the partnership with the Salvation Army statewide. This Miss Volunteer America Organization has a nationwide partnership with the Salvation Army," said Karns. "I was able to volunteer at the Salvation Army during pageant week with all the other contestants. I'm so excited to travel across the state and visit Salvation Armies everywhere I go."
Both Karns and Joyner said they are so thankful for the Miss Mississippi Volunteer Organization.
"The volunteer organization really requires you to be well-rounded and bring a lot to the table. For me, that was becoming the best version of myself," said Joyner. "I'm excited too that I can lead as an example that your situation, your circ*mstances don't define your success. As long as you put yourself out there and go for your goals, you can accomplish anything you want."
Karns will compete at Miss Teen Volunteer America in March in Jackson, Tennessee. Joyner will compete at Miss Volunteer America in June.
