Our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” continues with the next contestant to be featured, Miss Lynchburg’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Melanie Bowling. Though this is Melanie’s first time competing in a pageant, she is ready to learn everything she can and share her talent with the audience & judges. Continue reading to learn more about Melanie and her 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.
Hello everyone! My name is Melanie Bowling, and I am Miss Lynchburg’s Outstanding Teen. This is actually my first year ever competing in a pageant, so this experience is all new to me. However, I really enjoy working with the pageant system.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
The most important point of the crown to me is service. This is the most important to me because I believe you need to be willing to give back to your community, and volunteering in general is a very humbling experience. My platform is Feeding Their Future; Ending Childhood Hunger, and this platform is very special to work with. I didn’t realize how big of a problem hunger was in our community, but now that I have become invested in it, I see how big of a growing issue it is.

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?
Isabella can walk into a room and talk to anybody. Her kind spirit and interest in others is something that I hope to continue if I am chosen as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.

What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I have learned to be kind to everyone because it helps build relationships and you will get farther in goals that you want to accomplish.


Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is Feeding Their Futures; Ending Childhood Hunger. I chose this as my platform because I didn’t realize how big of a problem hunger was becoming until I saw how it was a growing problem on the news. I want to help make a difference in kids’ lives by helping them not worry about things like food.

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?
I would continue to make social media posts informing the public about childhood hunger. My generation is always online so making it apparent to them is important.  I will also continue to do food drives and get the community involved.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
My talent is Baton Twirling. I have been twirling since I was four, and it is something I do everyday. I am a competitive Baton Twirler, and I recently won the title of Jr. Miss Majorette of VA. One of the most exciting things I have done with twirling is being able to twirl at Epcot in Walt Disney World.

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?
My advice is to just try your best. You never know if something is possible until you try it. It is a really rewarding experience.


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 will always work my best to portray the positive and rewarding sides of pageantry and make known the four points of the Miss America crown.

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?
A goal I have is to work with everyone in the system, so not just doing things with her Miss but working to include all of the local titleholders as well. Working to expand our platforms and be role models to the community.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am involved in many other activities other than pageants. I am a competitive baton twirler, I twirl for my high school’s marching band, and I also dance. Along with all of my extracurricular activities I am a straight “A” student in school and am on the Principal’s List.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
They can follow me on Instagram at @melanie_bowling3, and the Miss Lynchburg Scholarship pageant page @misslynchburg2018. Also on Snapchat @twirmb.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for the opportunity to be featured in your magazine!