The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” is the reigning Miss Greater Charlottesville’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Remi FiGart. This is Remi’s second year competing in the MAOTeen VA system and she is ready to shine on the stage! Continue reading to learn more about Remi 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 Remi FiGart and I am Miss Greater Charlottesville’s Outstanding Teen for 2018.  This will be my second year competing in the Outstanding Teen Division of Miss Virginia.  I also participated in the Teens in Training program before I was old enough to compete in the MVOTeen program.  Last year, I was one of the top 10 finalists, which was so exciting.  My proudest moment was when I won the talent competition in the state pageant.  I think my favorite part of participating in the Miss Virginia organization is meeting teens from across the state.  We all have a lot in common, and it is great fun.  I think what people do not always realize is that the pageant is just a small part of our titles.  Each Miss and each Outstanding Teen contestant work hard to serve as positive role models, contribute to our community and promote our platform.  I love the work I do with pageants.  Participation has helped me also with public speaking, confidence and poise.  Lessons I have learned through the Miss Virginia organization will last a lifetime.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
While I think that all four points of the Miss America Crown are important, I do feel that service is the most important.  As a teen, I know that our generation has a responsibility to others.  My platform, LIFT, Love Is For Today, allows me to participate in helping mentally and physically challenged children and teens find joy of movement through dance.  I take my responsibility of helping others very seriously.  I have been fortunate in that I have had many experiences that have afforded me the opportunity to grow and develop.  I’m so thankful that I get to serve others as I strive to be the most positive role model I can be.


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 has been a great example to follow as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.  I find that her most impressive characteristic is her sincere and genuine demeanor. In being true to herself, her values and her beliefs, she has managed to wear her crown with great grace.

If I were to win the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, I hope that I will serve as a well-rounded and positive role model to others.  As a dancer, I often dance with younger children who look up to the older dancers.  I want to be the young lady that students look to as someone who reached her goals by conducting herself responsibly as MVOTeen.  I want others to see that hard work can pay off and that tenacity is an important quality of success.

What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Isabella has definitely been a great example and a wonderful leader in the MVOTeen program.  There are many lessons that I have learned from her.  I think that one lesson I have learned from her is to remain calm under pressure.  With many public appearances, gatherings and events I know that sometimes things may not go as planned.  It is important to be flexible and calm regardless of any situation.  While the Miss VA organization does a great job at preparing everyone, sometimes the unexpected can happen, and I think it is important to handle the unknowns with grace and calmness.  Isabella is great at adapting to lots of different situations, and I hope if selected as MVOTeen, I can do the same.



Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is LIFT, Love Is For Today.  I am a competitive dancer, but my platform allows me to use some of my time to help mentally and physically challenged children and teens experience the various forms of dance.  I love that I can help these special dancers learn to move to music and discover the joy of performance.  I love that through LIFT, I can help others who would not normally have the opportunity to take a formal dance class.  I chose LIFT because I understand the joy of dance and want to share it with others.

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 am very lucky to be in a position where I can share with others why LIFT is important to me.  The message of my platform is simply to accept and love everyone.  Love Is For Today is about acceptance and while I concentrate on LIFT through dance, the idea of helping everyone and loving everyone is something that can be easily transferred in everything we do.  Children and teens with mental and physical obstacles are so much like other their own age.  They want to have fun and have friends and LIFT gives them the opportunity to do so.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
This year, I will be dancing a lyrical song, “When Your Feet Don’t Touch the Ground” by Elle Goulding.  I believe it will allow me to tell the story of achieving your goals – even when your dreams seem so out of reach.  It is a beautiful song, and a dance with which I have emotionally connected.  I cannot wait to share it.

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 tell them to work hard, watch and listen.  There are so many individuals who volunteer and participate in the organization and they are wonderful resources from which to learn.  I would also tell others not to be nervous.  The MAO system is one that allows people to grow as individuals.  I love that.  Each year, I learn more about myself, the process and the organization.  It is a very welcoming organization and one that keeps the best interest of its participants at heart.  I would also encourage new participants to ask questions because that is a great way to learn.

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?
It is unfortunate that there is a preconceived notion of pageant girls and one that I hope to further dispel as I grow with the Miss America Organization.  Participants in this organization are motivated, driven, intelligent and talented individuals who have so much to offer.  I try to lead and serve by example.  I know I have spoken of my tenacious attitude, but it is so true.  The Miss American Organization works to improve communities and individuals.  I have grown into a much stronger and confident teen through my work with Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen program.  Community Service projects in which I have participated have required problem solving, communication and teamwork.  All these skills have been enhanced, not through standing on a stage, but through the activities associated with the pageant. This work is important, and I am proud of my participation in this organization.


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 winner of MVOTeen is to make the memories that will last a lifetime.  As MVOTeen, the winner will have the opportunity to experience many fun times while promoting their platform, raising awareness of the good work completed by the Miss Virginia Organization and growing as an individual.  Holding the title of MVOTeen is one that only a few teens have the privilege of holding.  It is my goal for them to enjoy their time, appreciate the responsibility and love the memories.  Every step you take along your path helps you become the person you are meant to be.  The MVOTeen will grow and develop with every step and it is my hope for the title holder to enjoy every new experience while promoting this organization and their platform.  Love the moment.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
While I do think that everyone has exceptional characteristics, I think that what makes me exceptional is my tenacious behavior which stems from my faith.  I set high goals, and I work hard to achieve them.  Not everything is easy, but I think it is the hard things that are worth working to achieve.  I love the feeling of accomplishment, but I have found that the harder I work, the higher goals I set.  I am truly very fortunate to have the support of my family – especially my Mom and Dad.  From a young age, they let my brother, my sister and me know that faith, hard work and success go hand and hand.  I developed a solid work ethic when I was super young.  I think that my work ethic coupled with my faith and tenacious behavior make me not only exceptional, but I hope it also makes me a role model.  If you want it, you can achieve it but you must trust God and work hard.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
You can find me on Instagram at remi_for_u.You can follow me on Facebook at Greater Charlottesville Outstanding Teen 2018 – Remi Figart.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
I would like for readers of Bravura Magazine to know that I am a normal teenager who has been given the opportunity to do lots of really awesome things.  I go to William Byrd where I will be a freshman in the fall. I am very involved in my school, my church, and my community.  At William Byrd, I am a Varsity Cheerleader and can’t wait to cheer on the Terriers this fall during Friday Night Football.  I attend Grace Family Church where I am active in my youth group.  I dance at Floyd Ward School of Dance where I am an ensemble member.  Competitive dance has allowed me to travel all over and meet friends from across the United States. I am a real believer that anything worth doing is worth doing well.  I strive each day to do the best and be the best that I can be.  Everyday, I work to be better than the day before.