The organization of Miss Tennessee hosted the coronation ceremony for Miss Tennessee 2021 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Memphis on 3rd July 2021, where Miss Nashville, Tally Bevis, was crowned as the new queen. She will now represent Tennessee at the upcoming Miss America and succeed Miss Tennessee 2019, Brianna Mason, to win the title.
Hailing from Springfield, Tally is 23-years-old and stands 180 cm tall. She graduated from Belmont University, Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Business and Entrepreneurship. She aspires to earn her masters of Arts in Music Business Management from the University of Westminster, with an emphasis on Live Entertainment and The Role of Conservation and Sustainability in the Music Industry.
Tally’s social initiative is ‘Vote with a Vision, A Tennessee Registered Non-Profit Organization’. She says combating voter apathy is unique when compared to what is generally expected in scholarship competitions. "I tried to look at what could be the most impactful, not only on that day. The initiative needs to be something that could change their trajectory or their habits long term," she added. Tally explained that it is important that Vote with a Vision is nonpartisan and can reach as many Tennesseans as possible. Her immediate plans for the organization include obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which she hopes will allow the organization to "increase our impact and reach," as well as register 10,000 voters.
The Belmont University graduate believes that, through her initiative, she can inspire and encourage the younger generation to understand the power of their vote and urge them to vote for a better world. "It is not only a responsibility to vote, but it is a constitutional right. And so, I want to protect that in the next year," she added.
Tally wants to use her platform to show young Tennessee girls that being healthy is the new skinny, in addition to being an empowered woman. She wants them to understand that being healthy and fit should be the real goal of one’s life. She took to her social media to share her happiness and excitement after winning the crown, as she wrote, "A six-year journey of growth, grit, and a lot of ugly crying in moments of pure joy. I am humbled.” She also thanked the organization for believing in her and trusting her with the title. Tally believes that winning the crown will unlock opportunities for her and she will use them in the best way to make an impact.
Tally also praised the Miss America organization's recent change, which requires delegates to be female and not be born as a female. She mentioned, "In our contract, we are no longer required to be born female; we are simply required to be female. That is a big shift in the pageant community. It's more inclusive than ever, and that's a shift in the right direction. " The change is applauded by everyone as it will help unlock various opportunities for women across the country.
The beauty queen will now start preparing for the competition scheduled to be held in December in Connecticut and focus on convincing people that their vote matters.
Queen, congratulations!