NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The practice rooms in Belmont University’s music building fill up quickly with eager students, but in Jo Lynn Burks’ room, the door is always open for a very special guest.

Cassie Donegan completed her normal humming vocal warmups on Tuesday morning before letting herself hit the same high notes that once filled the walls during late-night practice sessions.

The familiar space is now covered in photos of her in a much different light, with her Miss America crown carrying the weight of a national platform and a mission close to her heart.

“There are just so many memories that I have here,” Donegan said. “It always makes me super happy and brings me joy to be able to pop in and be able to see them. Stand in the rooms where I grew so much as a person and a creativ

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