As we continue our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” the next contestant to be featured is Miss Arlington’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Morgan Rhudy. Continue reading to learn more about Morgan and her journey to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen!

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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.
My name is Morgan Rhudy, and I am Miss Arlington’s Outstanding Teen 2018. I started competing in pageants a few years ago in the Cinderella Scholarship Program, and since have been a part of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen program. I am a sophomore at James River High School in Midlothian, Virginia, in the Leadership and International Relations Program. I work at Chick-fil-A. I run a nonprofit called “Girl Power Grants.” And, I am a singer. I have two awesome little sisters, Hannah (13) and Addison (10).

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
To me, service is the most important point of the crown. Miss America, above all, is a servant leader. She leads by example, inspiring others by being a good role model, and treating people with kindness, making an impact on everyone she meets. I do my best to live my life in service through my platform “Girl Power Grants,” and as a four-year local titleholder in this organization.


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?
As first-runner up to Isabella last year, in the most nerve-wracking, stressful moment, I saw her true colors. Isabella is so real, relatable and kind. She is so comfortable in her own skin, and never tries to be anything that she’s not, which I deeply admire.

What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Isabella has truly done an outstanding job representing Virginia this year. She has been so committed, traveling around the Commonwealth with multiple appearances a week, representing our organization beautifully at every event.


Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is Girl Power Grants, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that I started when I was 13 years old. Every year, we recruit 100 girls who each raise $100 to give a $10,000 grant to another nonprofit organization in Central Virginia. So far, we have given $34,500 into the community to six different organizations all impacting different demographics of youth in need in our area.

Partnering with these organizations, we have fully funded mental health awareness curriculum, sent teenage mothers to Young Life summer camp, provided disaster relief funds to hurricane victims last Fall, helped the families of kids with cancer, funded an eating disorder prevention program for young girls, and most recently, funded a renovation of a local family shelter’s resource center. We have many committees, outreach programs, and goals for the upcoming year! Learn more at www.girlpowergrants.org.

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?
The unique thing about my platform is that it can easily be taken all over Virginia. The concept of teenage philanthropy and grant-making is pretty simple when you find the right people. Last fall, a girls giving group based off of Girl Power Grants started up in New York City, and, so far, has been a huge success! We are starting conversations with a group of girls in Winchester, VA. We have many opportunities for girls all over Central Virginia to get involved including our scholarship program, and recent addition of school clubs. Learn more at www.girlpowergrants.org.


Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I am a singer! Prior to pageantry, I was involved with church choir, and school chorus, and I even played the guitar. I love old, uplifting songs that you can really perform and have fun with and enjoy.

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?
Let go and let God. You never know what kind of journey this organization could lead you on, or the doors it could open. Pageantry has changed my life, and there are so many girls out there like me.

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?
The Miss America Organization provides a unique opportunity for girls to demonstrate their intellect, talents and passions. We are nothing like the negative stereotypes, and a brief conversation with any of us reveals that fact.


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?
I hope that whoever the next Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen is will be very involved and books her schedule with all kinds of fun to make the most of her year!

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
Across my many leadership opportunities with my nonprofit, working in my community to help ensure safe schools, and most recently, organizing a statewide Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for the Miss Virginia contestants, I strive to be bravura. Of all the things I’ve learned, the most important is how to inclusively listen to the needs and ideas of others. I don’t see this opportunity to be about me. I see it is all about listening to others.


Where can fans follow you on social media?
Instagram! @mcrhudy. Be sure to check out my platform and nonprofit, @girlpowergrants.va as well.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
I can honestly say that this program has changed my life, and for that reason I encourage teens everywhere to try it. It’s a lot of hard work, but the hard work is completely worth it.  I’d love anyone considering trying a local pageant to reach out to me at morgan@rhudy.biz.