At first glance, Zoe Scheiderich’s story reads like a highlight reel: a Chicago-born ballet prodigy who left home at 14, trained at the nation’s most elite academies, earned academic honors, claimed the Miss Tennessee crown, placed among the Top 11 at Miss America, and travels the world advocating for women and girls. But beneath the accolades and spotlights is a quieter, more powerful narrative—one shaped by a mother’s steady presence, unwavering belief, and intentional love.
Zoe, now 22, is a Middle Tennessee State University student studying entertainment journalism with dreams of becoming a sports broadcaster for ESPN. Her path has been anything but conventional. Classical ballet demanded sacrifice early on, requiring her to move away from home as a young teenager to pursue training at institutions like the School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and others that represent the highest level of discipline and artistry. For a young girl navigating independence so early, support was not optional—it was essential.
That support came from her entire family—especially her mother, Cortissa Scheiderich.
Cortissa is a woman deeply rooted in faith, family, and purpose. A speaker, Bible teacher, home educator, and nonprofit founder, she has spent decades pouring into others while fiercely protecting the growth of her own children. When Zoe stepped into demanding worlds—professional dance, competitive academics, and later the Miss America Organization—Cortissa wasn’t just a parent in the audience. She was a strategist, a sounding board, a coach, and, most importantly, a safe place to land.
“I always knew I could dream big because my mom never treated my dreams as unrealistic,” Zoe has shared. “She helped me see that preparation and character mattered just as much as talent.”
That philosophy became foundational as Zoe transitioned from ballet to pageantry. Beginning her Miss Tennessee journey in 2023, Zoe returned year after year, refining not only her walk and interview skills, but her understanding of service and leadership. Cortissa, who had entered the pageant world alongside her daughter, guided her through the highs and lows—celebrating local titles like Miss Memphis, Miss Nashville, and Miss Music City, and encouraging resilience through disappointment. By the time Zoe captured the Miss Tennessee title in 2025, the victory felt communal: a testament to perseverance shaped within the walls of home.
On the Miss America stage in Orlando, Zoe’s self-choreographed ballet-contemporary performance to “16 Carriages” told its own story of strength and grace. She earned a Preliminary Fitness Award, a Top 11 finish, and $7,000 in scholarships—adding to more than $24,000 earned throughout her pageant journey. But perhaps her most meaningful work has happened offstage.
Zoe’s community initiative, Elevate: Empowering Girls, Equipping Women, reflects the values she was raised with. Through school visits, shelters, after-school programs, and partnerships with organizations like Girls Inc. and TenThirtyFive, she teaches young women to recognize their worth and thrive in their gifts. Last month, she traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, working with Wings of Hope to support girls rescued from underage tribal marriages—an experience that echoed her mother’s lifelong commitment to women’s ministry.
Cortissa’s own calling is now leading their family back to Nairobi, where they will serve as missionaries beginning in 2026. For Zoe, watching her mother step into this next chapter has only deepened her understanding of courage. “My mom lives what she taught us,” Zoe says. “Faith in action. Love with intention.”
Today, as Zoe prepares to speak on the Tennessee Senate floor about women’s health, safety, and rights, her voice carries generations of influence. It is confident, compassionate, and clear—shaped by a mother who believed that raising daughters meant equipping leaders.
In a world quick to celebrate individual success, Zoe and Cortissa Scheiderich remind us that behind many remarkable women is another woman who stood steady, whispered truth, and never stopped showing up. Their story is not just one of achievement, but of legacy—love passed down, purpose multiplied, and impact that reaches far beyond the spotlight.
Meet Zoe Scheiderich
Age: 22
Studying: Entertainment Journalism at MTSU
Dream Career: Sports Broadcaster for ESPN
A classically trained ballet dancer turned pageant standout, Zoe placed Top 11 at Miss America and earned the Preliminary Fitness Award. Through the Miss America Organization, she has received more than $24,000 in scholarships.
Her Why
Founder of Elevate: Empowering Girls, Equipping Women, Zoe travels across Tennessee and internationally, helping girls build confidence, purpose, and identity.
Zoe's Powerhouse Influence
Cortissa Scheiderich is a wife, mother of five, speaker, Bible teacher, and lifelong educator with a passion for women and families. A former corporate professional turned ministry leader, she has guided Zoe with faith and purpose—and will soon serve women and families in Nairobi, Kenya.