The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018” is the reigning Miss Chesterfield’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Chelsie Keyhea. Chelsie is a ‘first-timer’ to the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen program and she’s ready to hit the grown running! Continue reading to learn more about Chelsie 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.
My name is Chelsie Keyhea and I am Miss Chesterfield’s Outstanding Teen. I am thirteen years old and a seventh grader at Thomas Eaton Middle School. This is my first year participating in the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen program. When I was nine years old, I had so much fun as a princess during the week of Miss Virginia. The love and guidance I received from my miss and teen will be memories I will remember forever. I knew one day I wanted to be a role modes just like them. It has been a dream come true to be crowned an Outstanding Teen and be a role model for all the new princesses.

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 Miss America crown to me is service. I love being able to give back to my community. Service and giving back allows me to be a community leader and role model. Giving back is such a rewarding experience.


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?
During Isabella’s reign, she has shown the true meaning of sisterhood. The first time I met Isabella at a local prelim, she talked to me as if she had known me forever. That really meant so much to me. She really makes it known that the sisterhood is real within the Miss American Organization. My goal if I were to be crowned Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen would be to show the same kind of friendship, kindness, and sisterhood that Isabella has done during her reign.

What  have  you  learned  from  our  current  Miss  Virginia’s  Outstanding  Teen,  Isabella,  that  can  help  you  be  a  better  outstanding  teen?
Isabella has taught me to never give up on my dreams. She has shown that hard work and determination can help you achieve anything your heart desires. She has truly been an amazing Outstanding Teen and role model.

Please  share  with  our  readers  your  platform  and  why  you’ve  chosen  to  advocate  for  it.
My Platform is called “Be A Friend” which promotes kindness and friendship to all. My platform means so much to me because our society seems to be taken over by bullying and hate. One of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson-“The only way to have a friend… is to be one.” We can really make a difference is this world by being kind and being a friend.

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 hope to educate my generation about my platform by showing them first hand how to be a friend. I want my peers to not only be a friend to each other but to their community as well.  My goal would be to speak at schools, community centers, and social media in order to get my message heard.


Tell  us  about  your  talent  and  the  decisions  you  made  in  proceeding  with  this  talent.
I have been dancing since the age of three. When I dance it makes me so happy. I chose to do a lyrical dance to the song “How Far I’ll Go” by Alessia Cara. This song holds a special place with me because the meaning of the song is about finding strength in yourself.

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?
The number one advice I could give is just be yourself.  Show the judges your true personality and you can’t go wrong. Last but not least is don’t give up. Even if you don’t succeed your first or second try, learn and keep going.

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 am very proud to be a part of the Miss America Organization. The Miss America Organization is not just about a pretty face but about making a difference. This organization makes it possible to have a voice to promote your platform and be a role model.


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 would be for them to have the best year ever. I hope they can promote their platform across the state. Most importantly I hope they show how awesome it is to be a part of this organization.

Bravura is an  artistic  word  for  exceptional.  Tell  our  readers  what  makes  you “bravura.”
I would say my performance skills make me “bravura”. I love to be on stage and show my love for performing. Not only do I love to dance but I also love to act, especially in community theater.

Where  can  fans  follow  you  on  social  media?
Instagram:  Misschesterfields_ot.

Do  you  have  any  final  words  for  the  readers  of  Bravura  Magazine?
Thank you so much Bravura Magazine for this opportunity to allow your readers to get to know a little about me and my platform.  I am very excited for the Miss Virginia Pageant in June and I wish for all my fellow VA Outstanding Teen sisters to have the best week ever.