Ava Martin, a sophomore at Minden High School and current Miss Louisiana Teen Volunteer 2024, is gearing up to represent Louisiana nationally in the upcoming Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant in Jackson, Tennessee. National Teen Pageant Week is scheduled for March 6-9, with the finals on the last day.
The Miss America Volunteer Organization, which places a strong emphasis on community service, aligns perfectly with Martin’s passion for giving back. She is actively involved in the St. Jude Leadership Society, where she learns fundraising and leadership skills, organizes community events to raise money for St. Jude, and gains insights into pediatric cancer. Martin also volunteers at Seed’s Women’s Center, assisting in the baby boutique, and is eager to participate in the upcoming Birdies Fore Babies golf tournament this spring.
A staunch advocate for dance movement therapy, Martin’s platform is “Revive: Healing in Motion.” She aims to provide children of recovering addicts with a way to transition into normal life and cope with emotional stress.
“My mom owns Geaux Fresh, and 90% of her employees are women coming out of faith-based recovery programs. Growing up in that environment, I noticed that substance abuse doesn’t just affect the user but affects the whole family.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Martin encourages other young people who want to make a difference in their communities not to underestimate their impact. “Everybody has a unique story and a message that they want to share, and everybody can take something different away from someone’s story.” She believes that self-discovery is key to making an impact.
Martin’s dedication to her platform has been steadfast, particularly over the past year. Through dance movement therapy, she has positively impacted the lives of many, highlighting the mental and physical benefits of dance. Her work reflects the core values of the Miss America Volunteer Organization, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing the well-being of her community.
Looking ahead, Martin plans to pursue a degree in holistic medicine at Mississippi State University, with the goal of eventually opening a gym offering personalized diet and nutrition services.
Martin emphasizes the opportunities that pageantry has afforded her, particularly in terms of scholarship money. For those interested in participating, she encourages visiting MissLouisianaVolunteer.com or MissVolunteerAmerica.com, describing the pageant as an incredible platform for young women to become who they are meant to be.
