The University of Tennessee at Martin hosted the annual Miss UTM and Miss Weakley County Volunteer Pageant Sept. 14 in Watkins Auditorium.
Chloe Goff, a junior health and human performance major from Bradford, was crowned Miss UTM Volunteer 2026, and Kiala Hampton, a senior veterinary science and technology major from Memphis, was crowned Miss Weakley County Volunteer 2026.
Both winners will represent the area at the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant, to be held next July at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson.
One mission of the Miss Volunteer America program from the national program to local programs is the SERVE initiative, with each letter of the acronym representing a point on the crown.
“I am excited to use this title not only to represent the university I love, but also to promote my platform, ‘Chloe’s Drive to End Distracted Driving,’ in memory of my father, who was killed by a distracted driver before I was born,” Goff stated in an email. “My goal is to live out the SERVE initiative — scholarship, education, responsibility, volunteerism and education — in everything I do.
“Looking ahead, I am thrilled to represent UTM at the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant. This opportunity allows me to share my passions, talents and commitment to service on a larger stage while connecting with other young women who are equally dedicated to making a difference.”
Hampton said she would compete in several similar events and place, but would never win the title.
“Because of that, I never got the chance to truly represent my community or be a part of something that was important to me,” she said in an email. “After constantly being told ‘No,’ I started to feel like maybe I wasn’t worthy of any title.
“But (Sunday) night, everything changed. I finally got my ‘yes.’ I finally became a part of something that matters, where I can make a difference. … I’m ready to put in the work and preparation, and I hope to make my pageant sisters, directors, family and friends proud in the process.”
Hampton’s platform is Animal Love, which has a mission to close the gap between community and animals, allowing the community to become more involved with animal rights and animal welfare.
Molly Oswalt, a junior agriculture business major from Burlison, was named first runner-up, while Sierra Smith, a graduate student in education from Martin, was named second runner-up. Smith is a May 2025 graduate of UT Martin.
Other contestants were Jaida Fann, a junior chemistry major from Dickson; Abigail Karnes, a sophomore integrated studies major from Trenton; and Brianna McCrudden, a freshman political science major from Jackson.
Hampton won the fitness award, the congeniality award and the talent award.
The winners of the People’s Choice Award, voted on by audience members, were Karnes and Oswalt, who tied for first place for the award. Smith won the interview award, and Goff was the overall evening gown winner.
The current Miss Tennessee Volunteer, Meghan Poore, is a 2023 graduate of UT Martin and served as a co-host of the pageant. Other hosts were Kayla Mick, the outgoing Miss UTM Volunteer who is a senior fine arts and performing arts major from Baxter, and Maggie McClendon, the outgoing Miss Weakley County Volunteer who is a May 2025 graduate from Clarksville with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
PHOTO: The court from the Miss UTM and Miss Weakley County Volunteer Pageants held Sept. 14 at the Watkins Auditorium at UT Martin include (l-r) first runner-up Molly Oswalt, Miss UTM Volunteer Chloe Goff, Miss Weakley County Volunteer Kiala Hampton and second runner-up Sierra Smith. Goff and Hampton will represent the area at the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant held next July in Jackson.
