Meet Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer 2026
TESS BOND
“Project: It’s So Fluffy”
Over the past four years, Tess has led “Project: It’s So Fluffy”, an initiative dedicated to ending animal abuse through education, advocacy, and community involvement. Centered on three key pillars: Shelter Support, Animal Abuse Prevention, and Foster Advocacy.
As Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer, Tess has organized pet care drives in partnership with PetSmart, supporting shelters across Maryland. Her work also includes delivering classroom presentations on responsible pet care, and visiting schools to share her self-authored children’s book, Lily’s Big Journey, which promotes kindness, empathy, and animal abuse prevention among young audiences. Inspired by witnessing animal neglect in her community at a young age, Tess transformed a personal experience into a mission-driven initiative rooted in education, advocacy, and prevention.
More about Tess:
Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer is Tess Bond. Tess Bond is a junior at Mountain Ridge High School with a 4.0 GPA and a passion for animals, dance, and leadership. She is the founder of Project: It’s So Fluffy, an initiative supporting animal shelters through educational resources and statewide donation drives. Tess is also the author of the children’s book Lily’s Big Journey.
A competitive dancer, varsity cheerleader, and track sprinter, Tess has earned multiple Diamond Awards and was named the 2024 FDA Dancer of the Year. She holds leadership roles as Drill Team Captain, President of the Freshman Executive Board, and Student Council Representative.
Tess works as a certified lifeguard, teaches dance, and volunteers with local animal shelters and the Salvation Army. She hopes to pursue a PhD or DVM in Veterinary Sciences and one day open her own clinic.