Welcoming Co-Hosts
Heather
French
Henry
Heather French Henry gained national notoriety as Miss America 2000. Since then, she has continued to use her platform to advocate for military veterans and their families. She serves as the VP of Media Training for the Brielle Cotterman Media Group, and as the Outreach Director for Global Game Changers, a national leadership-based social emotional learning program headquartered in Louisville. Her work with homeless veterans was honored with the naming of the Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act.
Katie
Stam Irk
Katie Stam Irk is the first and only Miss America from the great state of Indiana! She is now a marketing consultant and author, including a recently published children's book - 'If Only I Could'. She serves on the board of directors for the Fallen Young Farmer organization, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting farming families who have tragically lost a loved one. Every year, she awards the Katie Stam Scholarship for Servant Leadership to two Indiana 4-H members!
And Special Guest Performances By...
Jackson Snelling
Jackson is a 21-year-old accomplished singer-songwriter and pianist from Austin, Indiana. Jackson was a contestant on NBC’s The Voice Season 24 and was a 2021 American Idol contestant! He has won many awards, most recently in Nashville, Tennessee at The Josie Music Awards Show held at The Grand Ole Opry, where he received the Male Vocalist of the Year 2023 Award.
The New Albany
High School Orchestra
Directed by Angela Thomas
Event Co-Chairs
Maria Triplett
&
Alan Singleton
Advocacy Rising is Sponsored By
