Our History with the Miss Virginia Pageant

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

~ Audrey Hepburn

When folks discover our little hobby, they often remark, “You’re involved with pageants? Really?!” Yes, really. I kid you not. Let me explain. . .

Back in the 1970’s Ernie was a member of the Arlington Jaycees, a men’s civic organization. The group wanted to do something fun for a money maker and came to the conclusion they would hold the Miss Northern Virginia Pageant in the spring of 1979. Jay Jarvis was appointed the chairman and he, in turn, asked Ernie to be the chairman of the judges’ panel. Without a moment’s hesitation he agreed and asked me if I would like to help out as well. (Smart man, that Ernie!) They invited former Miss America Kylene Barker (who had been Miss Virginia) to be the featured entertainer and emcee for their first pageant which was held in the old Fairfax High School building. Singer/dancer Diane Light of Fairfax became the first Miss Northern Virginia and we had a ball helping out.

Over the next couple of years the Jaycees concluded that their pageants cost them more money than they made and gradually lost interest in said project. In the meantime we became hooked and decided to take a stab at running the pageant ourselves. We contacted the Roanoke, Virginia office of the Miss Virginia Pageant and spoke with Executive Director Margaret Baker who granted us permission to buy the local franchise for a few hundred dollars. We then rounded up a few Jaycees who were still interested, some other friends of ours and set out on our own. That began a long relationship with the Miss Virginia Organization, one which we continue today.

For 23 years Ernie was the Executive Director of the Miss Northern Virginia Pageant and I worked to solicit contestants and procure the proper paperwork before the pageant. After that I directed back stage on pageant night, and then helped prepare the winner for the state pageant. During the last week of June each year I also accompanied our contestant to Roanoke for the state finals, acting as chaperon and traveling companion. I did this for 16 straight years and then began sharing the chaperon duties with Diane and Wendi, two other women on our committee.

All who work on Miss America preliminary pageant committees are strictly volunteers and there are no entry fees for young women who want to enter. However, it takes several thousand dollars to produce a pageant and there are costs associated with sending a local titleholder to the state pageant. As the years passed by and the economy changed, it became increasingly difficult to raise money for our pageant expenses and several of our dearest, most talented committee members moved from the area. After much careful thought and reflection, we decided to give up our franchise and end our pageant. Ernie was then asked to be a Field Director for the state organization and did just that from 2004-2008. In 2009 we were asked to be the Judges Chairmen and have enjoyed that volunteer capacity since that time.

Many outside the world of Miss America ask why we are thus involved. Our reply is that we have met many wonderful, talented young women over the years and have enjoyed watching them grow even more confident, poised, self-motivated and caring. We have made dear and lasting relationships, ones we truly cherish. Just this last week it was our privilege to see yet another Miss Virginia {our 31st} crowned on the stage at the Roanoke Civic Center. With her scholarship award of over $16,000 dollars she will now be able to pay off her college loans. How grand is that?! Now we anxiously wait to see how she will wear the crown in her own, unique way. Congrats to Elizabeth Crot, Miss Arlington.

Miss Virginia 2012, Elizabeth Crot

~photos by Anne Royster~