CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After a four-year journey through pageant preliminaries and finals, Clarksville’s own Sydney Grace Young has been crowned Miss Tennessee USA, chosen from around 300 women to compete in the national Miss USA pageant.
Young said this year’s selection was different from previous years, because it was not a traditional state pageant. “It was held where you could perform and compete with other women virtually. So, I had to submit myself into open casting where we provided an introductory video about ourselves, then a walking video,” she said.
Young said contestants had to go through three public voting rounds, which included 300 contestants participating in round one. Then, it dwindled down to 36 before the eight finalists were selected.
Contestants had to provide photos of themselves for the panel of judges during the third round, which was made up of six former winners of the Miss USA pageant. “It was really cool to know that I was chosen by women that were Miss USA and there were six of them,” she said. “That was really special to me.”
‘I just broke down, I mean it was four years of my life that I dedicated to this goal’
Young said she waited for about a week when the decision was moved into the judge’s round, and on Sunday, June 28, she was notified of the results. “I was beside my phone all day long, and I knew the announcement would be June 28, so I was ready.”
The announcement of her victory came in the early afternoon. “I just broke down, I mean it was four years of my life that I dedicated to this goal,” Young said. “I was so emotional, and I called my mom immediately. We were crying on the phone for what felt like hours.”
While also calling to share the news with her dad, Young said she had to keep the announcement private for two days due to contractual obligations; even though she wanted to scream the results from her front door, she said.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get to the judge’s table without my family, my friends, and everyone that shared my link and voted,” Young said.
Miss Tennessee USA after making 2nd runner up in 2025
Young was named 2nd runner up at last year’s Miss Tennessee USA competition. “Ever since that moment, we said we were going to do everything we can to be the strongest and the best person for this title. The first two years I competed; I never was a finalist. So even placing in the top 15 last year was a huge goal for me.”
She said placing 2nd runner up last year was a dream in itself. “It was my goal to excel, get better, have growth,” she said. “And that was the motivation I needed to finish this thing out.”
Message to younger self: ‘I’d tell her not to be afraid to be different’
Young said she hopes to make everyone proud as her journey continues, while encouraging others to go after their dreams.
“I came from Clarksville; this place has raised me,” she said. “I just owe a lot to my community and of course my mom and what she has done for me. … But go after your dreams and don’t ever think they aren’t possible.”
“If I could talk to younger Sydney, I would tell her the grass isn’t greener on the other side; it’s greener where you water it. I’ve learned that especially growing up, I was always different. I wasn’t the pageant girl that I am now,” Young said. “I’d tell her not to be afraid to be different, or don’t be scared to stand out, because that’s what sets me apart from other competitors.”
What’s next: ‘All things lead back to home’
Young’s next stop is Miami, Florida, for the Miss USA pageant. “Competition week starts Aug. 19,” she said. “State costume is the 24th, and I’m really excited about that, because I’m doing it myself. Some people will get different designers for their costumes, but I’m taking it over and doing it on my own.”
As for what her state costume will look like, Young only hinted, “all things lead back to home.”
Here are the other dates for the Miss USA competition:
- Monday, Aug. 24 – Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Costume Show
- Tuesday, Aug. 25 – Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Preliminary Competitions
- Wednesday, Aug. 26 – 2026 Miss Teen USA Competition and Coronation
- Thursday, Aug. 27 – 2026 Miss USA Final Competition and Coronation
Advocating for veterans through Pappy’s Promise
One initiative Young has been working on is advocating for veterans’ healthcare, which has been an issue close to her heart.
“Something that really changed my journey of pageantry was last year; I lost my grandfather to what I would say is delays and the brokenness of the veterans’ healthcare system. My grandfather (Mickey Jerles) was a veteran, he was getting care at the VA for many, many years, and unfortunately, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and lost his battle just 14 days later,” Young said.
“It was missed. He had knee surgery a few months before, and they didn’t do full body scans for him to be able to fight the disease. It was already too late when it was found. It was the most challenging thing I’d ever been through.”
Young said through her grief, she found a purpose in creating Pappy’s Promise to advocate for veterans’ healthcare. She plans to spend her year as Miss Tennessee USA advocating for expanded resources.
“There are a lot of illnesses and diagnoses that could be treated before things get fatal. What I want to propose as a new policy for veterans within the state of Tennessee is the Veteran’s Early Detection and Accountability Act, which would put into place a guideline where veterans get one free scan that is not limited to any one diagnosis or symptoms.
“Making this guideline of being able to have early detection will change lives. If that was something my grandfather could have had, I may have had more time with him. I’m not saying he could have survived the cancer, but he would have had a chance to fight it.”
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