Beauty, Brains and Bruins: Belmont Prepares to Name its First Miss University

Miss America and Belmont alum Cassie Donegan. (Kimberly Needles, courtesy of Cassie Donegan)

She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s Miss Belmont University. 

One fortunate Bruin will receive the opportunity on March 22 to represent Belmont University at the Miss Tennessee Scholarship Competition, which will be held from June 18-20. 

The Miss Tennessee Organization and Belmont University encourage currently enrolled students between the ages of 18 and 28 to compete in the pageant that will bring “scholarship, leadership, and service to the Nashville campus,” according to an announcement on Belmont’s social media.

The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts held the Miss Tennessee competition in June 2025;  this year, the venue will once again host the organization’s 73rd competition.

Miss America titleholder and Belmont alum Cassie Donegan discussed bringing the pageant to campus with Savannah Beals, executive director of Miss Belmont University and Colene Trent, executive director of Miss Tennessee.

“The level of talent and the caliber of young women that attend Belmont is amazing,” said Trent. 

Cassie Donegan receiving the 'Miss America' crown. (Kimberly Needles, courtesy of Cassie Donegan)

The Miss America Organization provides scholarship money to help further young women’s education and career, Beals said. 

The competition will provide up to $500 in scholarship money, according to the organization.

Miss Virginia titleholder Madison Whitbeck has benefited from the life skills, the scholarship money, and the success the organization provides, she said. 

“I think that our target audience within Miss America needs to pour into those college-age women. They’re the women who are looking for leadership opportunities, resume builders, networking opportunities, as well as scholarship money,” said Whitbeck. 

In addition to helping young women gain professional skills, the Miss America Organization empowers them through leadership, confidence and growth, said Beals. 

Contestants will participate in five phases of competition, including the private interview, talent, on-stage conversation, evening wear and fitness. 

The interview is the highest percentage of the contestant’s final score, according to the Miss Tennessee website. 

“That interview, at the end of the day, it is a job interview... You are going to operate as an ambassador to your community, to potentially the state, and potentially the nation. That interview is so imperative to really just find the right woman for the job,” said Beals.

The panel of judges will look for poised and professional young women who represent the tenets of the Miss Tennessee organization, she emphasized.  

“She will be the brand representative for Belmont University,” said Trent.

Registration for Miss Belmont University closes March 16. 

For more details, students can follow the Miss Belmont University Facebook and Instagram pages @missbelmontuorg. 

Written by Carla Loretta and Trey Sullivan