MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — All the hard work and preparation paid off for Middle Tennessee State University senior Carley Vogel, fresh off a second runner-up at the Miss America pageant earlier this month in Orlando, Florida.

“Participating in the pageant itself was surreal. It was an honor to share the stage with such incredible women and to represent Tennessee, a state I love dearly,” said Vogel. “The connections I made and the stories I heard reinforced my belief in the power of community and advocacy.

A music business major in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment minoring in musical theatre in the College of Liberal Arts, the Kennesaw, Georgia, resident called preparing for the Jan. 5 pageant one of her life’s most challenging and rewarding experiences.

“It required discipline, resilience and a deep understanding of who I am and what I stand for,” said Vogel, who competed as Miss Tennessee after winning that scholarship pageant last year as Miss Music City. “From working with sponsors and honing my talent as a performing artist to staying mentally and physically strong, every moment was about growth and preparation.”

Vogel was also named a preliminary talent winner after singing “Climb Every Mountain” from “The Sound of Music,” which she dedicated to her grandmother who recently passed away. Her third place finish at Miss America earned her a $10,000 scholarship.

“I felt like my grandmother, who always dreamed of seeing me compete, was guiding me as my guardian angel every step of the way,” Vogel said.

Vogel has performed the national anthem hundreds of times, including recently ahead of a Nashville Predators game in Smashville.  After graduating, she plans to dive into the country music scene to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.

“Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m excited to combine my passion for performing with storytelling that connects with people. My journey has given me so much inspiration, and I am ready to share it with the world through my music,” Vogel said.  

Vogel is also passionate about organ donation, a cause that she said is close to her heart after she faced liver failure at 12 years old and spent weeks on a hospital transplant floor.

“That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of how organ donation saves lives. Today, I partner with Donate Life Tennessee and Tennessee Donor Services to raise awareness and encourage others to become donors,” she said.

Other causes she supports include adoption advocacy (she’s a child of adoption herself), music and performing arts.

“These areas have shaped who I am and fuel my desire to give back in meaningful ways,” she said.

—   DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)