By: Isabelle Puente
Lauren Salimbene will relinquish her crown as Miss America Volunteer, Saturday, but the journey she’s been on is one she will never forget.
“I know my year has been so fulfilling,” she said. “I have accomplished everything that I wanted to.”
Lauren Salimbene was a 19-year-old freshman at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah, when she was crowned Miss Volunteer America 2026, and earned a $50,000 scholarship in the process.
Salimbene, a double major in finance in accounting at Westminster University, became the national ambassador for organizations that include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Salvation Army.
Her talent is dance, but her resume is impressive with her dedication to community service and fitness, while serving as a role model for personal growth and resilience.
She not only thinks about the time that has passed, but where she was at this time in 2025.
“365 days ago, I was in these girl’s shoes,” Salimbene said. “I was once where they are, so it’s fun being on the stress free level where I get to watch and help them navigate the week (but) for one of them the year (she is) about to step into.”
The Miss Volunteer America Pageant, which continues through Saturday is in its fifth year at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
Preliminaries continue today and Friday at 7 p.m., with Salimbene handing the winner the crown for 2027, at 3:30 p.m., Saturday.
The pageant consists of four categories – talent, interview, fitness and wellness and evening gown – with contestants competing in different categories each evening.
The pageant was created in 2022 by Jackson native, Allison DeMarcus, and continues to thrive in the Hub City.
Throughout her year as Miss Volunteer America, Salimbene has continued to uphold the values of the title.
After growing up in what Salimbene called a “very service-oriented home”, the Miss Volunteer America pageant was an opportunity that felt like the right path for her to take.
Salimbene shared heartfelt words that truly showed what it means to be Miss Volunteer America.
“So, this week is very bittersweet,” Salimbene said. “I’m feeling a lot of emotions. I want five more minutes with this title.”
If you are interested in attending the pageant, you can purchase tickets at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/22730/carl-perkins-civic-center or at the Civic Centers box office.
You can also watch the live stream each night at www.missvolunteeramerica.net.
(PHOTO: Lauren Salimbene – courtesy Isabelle Puente – Golden Media Group)
