Miss Volunteer America 2026 is Lauren Salimbene
Miss Utah Volunteer Takes Crown During Spectacular Ceremony at Historic Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, TN
Salimbene to Serve as National Brand Ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Salvation Army
MISS UTAH VOLUNTEER, LAUREN SALIMBENE, CROWNED AS MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA 2026 DURING THE PAGEANT ON JUNE 21, 2025, AT THE CARL PERKINS CIVIC CENTER IN JACKSON, TN
Photo by Sheldon Smith Photography for Miss Volunteer America
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MISS UTAH VOLUNTEER, LAUREN SALIMBENE, CROWNED AS MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA 2026 DURING THE PAGEANT ON JUNE 21, 2025, AT THE CARL PERKINS CIVIC CENTER IN JACKSON, TN
Photo by Sheldon Smith Photography for Miss Volunteer America
CLICK HERE FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS
JACKSON, Tennessee (June 21, 2024) – Lauren Salimbene, Miss Utah Volunteer, was crowned the new Miss Volunteer America 2026 tonight in a dazzling ceremony at the historic Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, TN.
The Westminster University honors student and trailblazing advocate for disability inclusion and mental wellness captured the national title following a week of competition among delegates representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
As Miss Volunteer America 2026, Lauren receives a $50,000 scholarship, a Sherri Hill designer wardrobe and trip to New York Fashion Week, as well as exclusive meetings with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Nashville, Big Machine Label Group, and Red Street Records.
Lauren is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in International Relations at Westminster University’s Gore School of Business. Ranked first in her high school graduating class and fluent in Mandarin Chinese, she earned the Utah State Seal of Biliteracy and has made the Dean’s List and 4.0 Honor Roll. Her future plans include a Master’s in Business Creation (MBC) and advocating for women in finance through 100 Women in Finance.
Her S.E.R.V.E. Initiative, “Movement Has No Limits; Neither Do You,” is rooted in personal experience and the loss of two friends to suicide. Lauren has logged more than 265 service hours and traveled over 1,700 miles to share her message of physical and mental resilience. She has partnered with Special Olympics Utah, Show Up for Utah, and presented her platform at the Utah Governor’s Gala.
“This platform is not just a message—it’s my mission,” said Lauren. “As Miss Volunteer America, I will bring this message to the national stage and work to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability or background, knows they have the strength to overcome and achieve.”
Berkley Bryant, Miss Volunteer America 2025, crowned Lauren in an emotional finale, officially passing the torch to her successor.
Lauren now begins her reign as the official brand ambassador for Miss Volunteer America and its philanthropic partners: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Salvation Army.
“All of us at Miss Volunteer America are thrilled to welcome Lauren to our family,” said DeMarcus. “Her unmatched drive, brilliance, and compassion embody everything this organization stands for. I’m confident she will lead with purpose and inspire others across the country.”
The nationally streamed event was hosted by Miss Volunteer America founder and CEO Allison DeMarcus, alongside her husband Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts, Red Street Records), with co-hosts Christine Williamson and inaugural titleholder Alexa Knutzen, Miss Volunteer America.
Special guests were Dylan DeMarcus, Izzy Karns, and Madeline DeMarcus. Entertainment was provided by Anna Grace Loudenbeck, Reagan Strange, and Sydney Jackson.
Now in its fourth year, the Miss Volunteer America Pageant awarded over $125,000 in scholarships and prizes. Contestants competed in Talent, Interview, Fitness & Wellness, and Evening Gown categories.
This year’s event was made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsors: Jane Alderson, Allison & Jay DeMarcus, Scott Hilburn, the Jackson Madison County Community Economic Development Commission, and Sherri Hill.
Miss Volunteer America continues to inspire and empower a new generation of leaders across the country through its unwavering dedication to community service and national partnerships.
Connect with Miss Volunteer America:
www.MissVolunteerAmerica.net
Instagram: @missvolunteeramericapageant
Facebook: @missvolunteeramerica
L-R: JAY DEMARCUS, MADELINE DEMARCUS, MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA 2026 LAUREN SALIMBENE, DYLAN DEMARCUS, AND ALLISON DEMARCUS (CEO/FOUNDER MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA AFTER THE MISS VOLUNTEER PAGEANT ON JUNE 21, 2025 AT THE CARL PERKINS CIVIC CENTER IN JACKSON, TN.
Photo by Sheldon Smith Photography for Miss Volunteer America
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L-R: JANE ALDERSON (VICE-PRESIDENT, MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA), SCOTT HILBURN (CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR) MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA 2026 LAUREN SALIMBENE, ALLISON DEMARCUS (CEO/FOUNDER MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA) AND CHRIS CHAMBERS (NATIONAL JUDGES CHAIRPERSON) AFTER THE MISS VOLUNTEER PAGEANT ON JUNE 21, 2025 AT THE CARL PERKINS CIVIC CENTER IN JACKSON, TN.
Photo by Sheldon Smith Photography for Miss Volunteer America
CLICK HERE FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS
ABOUT MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA:
Miss Volunteer America is a national scholarship pageant founded by Allison DeMarcus—entrepreneur, television personality, former Miss Tennessee, and wife of Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus. With a vision to uplift and empower young women, DeMarcus created the organization to champion academic excellence, servant leadership, and personal development through a values-driven competition platform. The pageant emphasizes the importance of education, integrity, character, and volunteerism, and provides significant scholarship opportunities to its participants. Titleholders and contestants dedicate countless hours to community service while preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders. Miss Volunteer America continues to grow as a meaningful movement for young women across the country.
Learn more at www.missvolunteeramerica.net.
ABOUT ALLISON DEMARCUS
Allison DeMarcus is a former Miss Tennessee Teen USA, Miss Tennessee America and Miss Tennessee USA and is the only woman in pageant history to represent the state of Tennessee at the Miss Teen USA, Miss America and Miss USA pageants. DeMarcus began working with Country Music Television in January 2007 when she co-hosted the Miss America Pageant with Mario Lopez and has worked as a television personality for Country Music Television for ten years.
Allison is married to Jay DeMarcus of the country music supergroup, Rascal Flatts. In 2020, Allison and Jay - along with their adorable children - warmed hearts in their own NETFLIX reality show, DeMarcus Family Rules.
Additionally, the couple has appeared together on The Chew, NASHVILLE, Good Morning America and Chrisley Knows Best.
When she is off camera, DeMarcus enjoys serving in her third year as President of the Board of Directors of Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and recently finished chairing an $18M Pediatric Cancer Campaign. She also enjoys serving as a Board Member for the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center’s Board of Overseers, Board member for the Memorial Foundation on the Grants Committee, as well as the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant.
She formerly served on the Board of Directors for Cheekwood, The Women’s Fund, Sigma Epsilon Chi Omega Advisory Board at Vanderbilt, Chi Omega’s National Recruitment Team and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and has enjoyed volunteering for The Nashville Symphony, Sexual Assault Center, Swan Ball, Nashville Humane Association, Nashville Ballet, Second Harvest Food Bank, Nashville Alliance, Warner Parks, The Frist Center, Nashville Zoo and the Oasis Center.
Allison’s most important job is being a wife to Jay, and mother to Madeline and Dylan.
MISS UTAH VOLUNTEER, LAUREN SALIMBENE, CROWNED AS MISS VOLUNTEER AMERICA 2026 DURING THE PAGEANT ON JUNE 21, 2025, AT THE CARL PERKINS CIVIC CENTER IN JACKSON, TN
Photo by Sheldon Smith Photography for Miss Volunteer America
CLICK HERE FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS
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