Ella Ross Heads to Compete in Miss Jackson Volunteer Pageant
Saturday, August 30, 2025, is a big day for Hardeman County native Ella Ross, who will compete in the Miss Jackson Volunteer Pageant, which will be held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Although Ella has experience from competing in other pageants, this one is a preliminary for state as well national competitions.
“I competed in a fair pageant when I was a baby and a locally held pageant when I was four. Recently, I participated in the Miss Tennessee Shimmer Pageant and won a title to qualify to go to the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival Pageant, which was held in May,” said Ella, who shared the next step the Miss Jackson Volunteer Pageant will offer. “One being, in this pageant, you are judged on several different categories such as interview, fitness, talent, on stage question, and evening gown. This pageant also holds more responsibility for the winner to represent Jackson/Madison County. This pageant has taken a lot more preparation, practice, and coaching. It is also a pre-qualifiier for the State Volunteer pageant next June and from there, a national pageant.”
Growing up, Ella struggled with self-confidence. She found participating in pageants as a way to help her work through that circumstance.
“I wanted to involve myself in something to help me grow myself and grow confidence in myself,” said Ella. “I have an amazing pageant coach and I spend a lot of time working out at Anytime Fitness in Bolivar. I practiced, researched, prayed, and stayed steady in the Word to try to keep calm. My family has really been my biggest supporter through this journey! They have been my shoulder to cry on. They have supplied me with everything I need and more. And I know they will be the loudest people cheering me on out in the audience.”
Ella also shared how her community has truly been a blessing by supporting her through sponsorships, encouragement and financially for pageant expenses. She is also appreciative to those who show up for her at pageants like the Miss Jackson Volunteer Pageant and share her platform on social media.
Ella is homeschooled and a junior in high school. She takes tutorial classes at Fayette Christian Homeschool Tutorial and is doing dual enrollment at Jackson State Community College. Her platform for the pageant is “Wonderfully Made” – Empowering young girls and women to find confidence within themselves. She will sing “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz for the talent portion of the pageant. Ella has seen personal growth from participating in pageants and the opportunities they offer. She shared her perspective on beauty pageants.
“Beauty pageants go far beyond beauty. The heart and determination of the girls who compete cannot be matched. They work hard to be poised, to serve their communities, and to help make their world a better place. Beauty pageant contestants are judged on their overall qualities,” said Ella, who is proud to represent Hardeman County when she competes. “I will always represent Hardeman County wherever I go because that is where I am from, and that is where my family lives. However, in this pageant, I am hoping to represent my platform and Jackson/Madison County. Throughout my experience, I hope to be a light to people. I want to be the influence to someone that my younger self needed. I hope to stay true to myself and be real,” said Ella.
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