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By Angela Cutrer
Star correspondent

Elizabethton’s Amy Simmons is the reigning “World’s Miss Tourism 2024” after winning the competition in Nashville July 20-23 at the Millennium Maxwell Hotel Ballroom.

Simmons brought home the over-all title of “World’s Miss Tourism Grand Supreme Queen 2024” as well. She competed in the World’s Miss Tourism Pageant Nationals also and was named for the national title of “World’s Miss Tourism Role Model Ultimate.” In addition, her talent brought home the over-all “World’s Miss Tourism Hollywood Ultimate” title.

“I am honored to represent Tennessee with this amazing world title,” Simmons said. “Thank you to our community for giving me the support and opportunities which led me to the crown.”

Her pageant platform is called “Community Lights.” Using her performing arts business, teaching dance and pageant directing, she goes within the community “to pass along the smiles and talents to make our community brighter.”

Simmons is the artistic director at Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy in Elizabethton at Parks & Recreation and has a classroom at the Johnson City Memorial Park Community Center. She works within the Tri-Cities to give her students and pageant contestants a springboard to share talents and “lift in light our communities participating in festivals, fairs, city events, business events and nursing home shows. “Teaching others how to shine their own light is my joy,” said Simmons.

Simmons competed in the following categories at the pageant: Interview, Talent, Super-Model, Broadway Monologue, American Model, Evening Gown, State/National Costume, Photogenic, Cover Model and Media Photo Model. Due to those competitions, she also achieved other national titles, including “Miss Tourism Media-Photo-Model 2024,” “World’s Classic Ms. Tourism 2024,” “World’s Miss Tourism Broadway 2024” and “World’s Miss Tourism American Model 2024.”

The 25th World’s Miss Tourism Pageant was directed by Teri Alexander with the platform being “Stomp Out Bullying.” “It is an organization based on kindness and giving many contestants the ability to reach out into their communities to shine their lights,” Simmons said.

Simmons said she is looking forward to her reign as “World’s Miss Tourism 2024” and invites “ladies of all ages” to contact her for information on World’s Miss pageants. She said she hopes to create interest for more contestants to represent this year with an appointed title from the Tri-Cities and then attend nationals next July. “We need more representation from our area,” she said. “We have so many talented, smart, beautiful ladies of all ages who would enjoy the challenge and experience to compete.”

For talent interests, Simmons resumed dance classes at Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy for the new year with an open house at Elizabethton Parks & Rec Aug. 1 between 4-6 p.m. and at the Memorial Park Community Center-Johnson City Aug. 2 between 4-6 p.m. For more information call or text 540-392-9138 or email ddreams2000@aol.com.

Simmons will be directing the “Miss Relay For Life Pageant” Sept. 9 and the “Miss & Mr. Covered Bridge Days Pageant” Sept. 23.

“I am excited to return to my business, teaching dance and thrilled to direct upcoming fall local pageants as your ‘World’s Miss Tourism,’” she added.