The Volunteer of the Week is Ashley Jackson. Jackson is a Vicksburg native. She and husband Chandler have three children, Walker, Warren and Emalyn. Jackson volunteers with the Miss Mississippi organization. 

How did your volunteering for Miss Mississippi begin?

When I was 15 years old, my mom was in charge of the dressing room. I began coming with her to volunteer to help with the contestants. 

How long have you been volunteering with Miss Mississippi?

I volunteered under my mom for almost 10 years before she stepped down. Then, in 2022, I was allowed to come back and became the chairman of the dressing room. 

What is your favorite memory while volunteering for Miss Mississippi?

My favorite memory of volunteering with the Miss Mississippi pageant is always my Wednesday night prayers before the competition begins. I am so thankful that I get the opportunity to step into the gap for these wonderful young women and ask for God’s peace and protection over them as they prepare to compete for the title that they have worked so long and hard for. 

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering?

Just do it! You will never regret getting to be a part of something bigger than yourself. 

What are some of your tasks while volunteering in the dressing room?

We do normal things like steaming their dresses and outfits, zipping them up before competition, sewing in a hook and eye every once in a while, but we also get to form relationships with the girls and be there for them throughout the week. If the contestants are in the Vicksburg Convention Center, we are in the Vicksburg Convention Center, so we spend a lot of time together. It is so much fun to learn more about them, laugh with them, cry with them. It’s such a long week, so to be able to have fun together and get to know one another makes things a lot more fun. 

What have you learned from volunteering?

I have learned in my many years of volunteering that it is a blessing to be a part of something outside of myself and outside of my everyday life. It’s fun and so life-giving! 

How can someone who might be interested in volunteering with Miss Mississippi get involved?

Just reach out to someone. With the Miss Mississippi pageant being local to Vicksburg, you are bound to know someone who is already involved. I believe you can also go to the Miss Mississippi website for more volunteer information. 

If there is a volunteer who should be featured, please submit their name and contact information to volunteer@vicksburgpost.com.