From left, First Runner-Up Jasmine Ngo, Miss Cleveland Volunteer 2020 Marti Sullivan and Second Runner-Up Ciara Warren
photo by Wendy King
University of Tennessee at Knoxville junior Marti Sullivan was selected as the first Miss Cleveland Volunteer on Sunday afternoon at Cleveland State Community College as the local franchise was revived after a decade long absence.
The win gives the Lewisburg resident her second trip to the Miss Tennessee Volunteer Scholarship Pageant which will be held from June 17-20 in Jackson. Ms. Sullivan represented Rutherford County at last year’s pageant.
Through its affiliation with the state program leadership when it was aligned with the Miss America Organization the Cleveland franchise produced three Miss Tennessee winners – Lisa Robertson (1989), Beth Hood (2000) and Stephanie Culberson (2001) who was the Miss America 2002 second runner-up. The Tennessee Volunteer program started last year after the Jackson leadership ended its alliance with MAO.
Lee University student and pianist Jasmine Ngo was first runner-up and Ciara Warren from the University of Memphis was second runner-up.
Ms. Sullivan who is majoring in Education won the Interview Award and performed the Stevie Wonder classic “For Once in My Life” for her talent presentation.
Former Miss Tennessee contestant and Mrs. Tennessee 2018 Trinity Garner Pearson is the Cleveland executive director.