Our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018”, continues with the next contestant to be featured, the reigning Miss Dominion’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Cameron Atkins. Cameron is competing in pageants for the first time this year, and having done two locals, she then won her current title. As a student at Henrico, she is set to balance crowns and homework at the same time! Continue reading to learn more about Cameron and her journey to the crown!

Tweet

For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
I am a rising junior in the International Baccalaureate program at Henrico High School. My favorite subject is math, because seeing a completely solved equation makes me feel accomplished. I have been an avid runner since middle school. What began as a school project led me to form my first business, SpecialT, LLC, a specialty beverage company, at age fourteen. This is my first year of competing in pageants. I competed in two pageants this year, and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Miss Dominion’s Outstanding Teen!

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 is Scholarship. How hard one works to educate, prepare, and apply themselves to the real world will determine their future.


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?
I have seen Isabella bring forth so much poise during her reign as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen. If I were to win the title, I would love to watch my confidence continue to grow. I used to be quite shaky when speaking publicly; however, I have become so much more comfortable before audiences and seen so much growth in myself, while competing this year.

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 so many things from Isabella. I admire her focus on incorporating fun into a healthy lifestyle; however, I am particularly moved by how she fearlessly stands up for her religious and social beliefs. She shared her knowledge and experiences with the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen contestants. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to speak directly with Isabella about her year as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is supporting Shriners Hospital for Children. When I was diagnosed with scoliosis, I was told there was only one option: a metal rod inserted in my back. Shriners Hospital offered two experimental surgeries that would allow me to maintain my mobility. Not only did they provide better options, they were free of charge to my family. My goal is to bring awareness to Shriners by raising money to ensure that Shriners Hospitals across the nation can continue to keep kids with health issues as happy and healthy as possible.

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?
If I won Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, I would bring awareness to Shriners Hospital by increasing public knowledge about the organization. Through resources such as TED and social media, I would share my story with the public and raise awareness for Shriners. Being crowned Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen will provide public speaking and networking opportunities. As a dedicated runner, organizing 5K and 10K walk/run fundraisers is a natural forum for me. A percentage of the profits from my business SpecialT, LLC will also be donated to Shriners. Sharing my journey will inspire more young ladies to participate in the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen pageant program.


Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
My talent is reciting a monologue entitled “See What Happened Was…” about a girl who ended up with a hole in her window and a nose-less garden gnome. Once her parent walks in, she tells an elaborate story about how the incident occurred. It was hard to find a monologue I thought was funny; however, I am happy I stumbled across this one. It is a lot of fun taking in the persona of a young child telling a “tall tale!”

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?
Since I am also new to this, I have been very lucky to receive the amount of advice I’ve gotten. The best thing I’ve ever been told was “It doesn’t matter if you mess up on stage, as long as you keep a smile on your face.” I was told this after I completely forgot my fitness routine on stage, and it made me feel so much better.

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?
Since I’ve been involved with the Miss America Organization, I’ve had very encouraging friends. A lot of them were shocked when I told them I started pageantry, because they don’t think of me as the typical “toddlers-and-tiaras” type of girl. I have helped break the beauty pageant stereotype and introduce scholarship pageants that focus on confidence and education, rather than focusing on how domed your “cupcake hands” are. The best surprise has been how nice and supportive the girls and mothers at the pageants are to each other.

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?
Since meeting all of the Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen contestants, I can affirm the next teen is going to be beautiful and filled with grace and poise. I hope whomever wins truly grows in confidence and maturity. I also hope that greater awareness is brought to their platform and that they achieve their platform goals.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am “Bravura” because I am optimistic and have perseverance. If there is an opportunity that involves accomplishing an outcome, I will do my best to take that opportunity and reach the outcome. I also will not back down from obstacles and hurdles that come up.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram @camnuggets, and on Facebook at Miss Dominion Scholarship Program.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you so much for reading about me and learning about my life! I really want to thank my parents, family, directors and friends for all of their support and love. I am very excited to compete at the Miss Virginia pageant this June!