The final contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” is the reigning Miss Wilderness Run’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Jordan Welker. Having been participating in the Miss America Organization since she was a preteen, Jordan is ready to entertain those attending the MAOTeen VA pageant with her vocals! Continue reading to learn more about Jordan and he journey to the crown!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
I started in the Miss Virginia Organization when I was crowned Miss Northern Virginia’s Outstanding Preteen 2014 at 9 years old. The following year I was crowned Miss Virginia Dogwood’s Teen in Training 2015. When I turned 13, I decided to return to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen and won the title of Miss Piedmont Region’s Outstanding Teen 2017.  Currently, I am Miss Wilderness Run’s Outstanding Teen, 2018.


The four points of the Miss America crown represent service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
Service is the most important point of the crown to me because it represents my belief that you should leave the world a better place than it was when you entered it.

During Isabella’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
She exudes a special joy and you can tell she is truly happy being Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, and I believe I could do the same.


What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Isabella has an instant likeability about her and you see this in the way she interacts with her peers, young children and adults. She is committed to the program and the program’s success.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is “Feeding Our Neighbors In Need.”  I have chosen to advocate for the hungry in my area. With over 33,000 individuals, facing hunger and food insecurity and 1/3 of them being children, I feel obligated to spread the word about the need in our local community.  Children are going to school hungry and cannot effectively learn while hungry. Being a future educator, the existence of childhood hunger motivates me to work even harder.

If you were to win the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
Boys and girls my age do not realize that hunger is a problem; however, hunger does exist and it does not discriminate. Anyone at any time could be faced with a life-altering event or unexpected emergency that could affect their ability to purchase food.  Being Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen would allow me the exposure to spread awareness of the needs in the community and to motivate the community to eliminate hunger.


Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I am performing a pop vocal, ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” from Mamma Mia. In the past I have performed more serious songs and opera; however, I am doing something different this year that is fun and upbeat. Having always been one of my favorite songs, I believe it will appeal to several generations of Mamma Mia fans – from the original song in 1976 to the Broadway production to the movies and the new release in July 2018.

Having been in pageants and after winning a local title, what advice do you have for those who want to start competing in the MAO system?
I would say, “Be true to yourself.” because the young women who believe in themselves have a “special sparkle,” and I believe the judges would see the authenticity and appreciate it.


Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is like. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization you are able to break that barrier?
I think that I can break many of misconceptions of pageantry through my personal testimony of personal growth, the development and successes of working on my platform, the many opportunities that have helped me with public speaking, how to present myself as a confident young woman, and ultimately the development of key life skills. I love sharing my story because I believe the course of my life would be very different than it is now and I would be different had I not been involved with pageantry.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
My goal for the person chosen would be Promotion.  From encouraging, identifying and recruiting new candidates to compete in local competitions, to attending as many community events as possible, to participating in local pageants, to developing a social media presence, I would love to see this person “market” and promote the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen Organization.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
Commitment makes me exceptional.  I am committed in everything I do.


Where can fans follow you on social media?
My fans can follow me on Facebook:  Jordan Welker, or Feeding Our Neighbors in Need.
Instagram: jmw13559 or misswildernessrunsot2018.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Please plan to attend and experience the Miss Virginia Pageant and the Teen Competition in Lynchburg, June 21-23. You will be amazed at the poise, confidence, talent and unforgettable women you will see.