Miss Tennessee Volunteer prepares for national pageant, highlights school outreach and fundraising

Megan Poehler, Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2026, said she is ramping up daily preparations ahead of the national Miss Volunteer America pageant in June, calling preparation a near-constant commitment.

"For me, prep is 24 7," Poehler said, describing a regimen of interview practice, fitness work and talent rehearsals. She identified singing as her talent and said she is designing her evening gown for the national stage.

Poehler told hosts Steve Bowers and Jordan Dyer that two national partnerships — Saint Jude and the Salvation Army — are central to her service year and that she serves as Gov. Bill Lee's spokesperson for character education in Tennessee. "I started my school tour back in October," she said, describing visits to elementary, middle and high schools to promote respect as part of a platform she calls the "gift of time." Poehler said students have been engaged and responsive to the message.

On background and next steps, Poehler said she earned a marketing degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, paused cosmetology training after winning the state title and plans to finish cosmetology school after her year representing Tennessee. "I'll go back and finish my cosmetology license at Arnold's Beauty School," she said.

Poehler characterized the coming months as a meaningful capstone: the national pageant is in June and the state title will transition in July. She said she intends to continue working in pageantry and hopes to pursue her own business in time.

The hosts noted Poehler's local appearances and community work; Poehler cited a recent volunteer visit to a Nashville encampment and said those experiences reinforced her platform and fundraising commitments.