The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018” is the reigning Miss Crooked Road’s Outstanding Teen, Shayli Castle. Castle is one who competed in her first pageant in 2^nd grade, and just completed her freshman year of high school! She is ready to show the audience attending Miss VA’s Outstanding Teen pageant in a few weeks what she can bring to the stage! Continue reading to learn more about Castle 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 Shayli Castle and I just completed the 9^th grade.  I competed in my first pageant when I was in the 2^nd grade.  I have won local and national titles.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
Service and success are the most important to me, but all four are important to me.  I have a servant’s heart and like to serve my community through my platform D.A.N.C.E., Dancing to Accomplish and Nurture Creative Excellence.

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 promoted the MAO across the state and has been a huge supporter of the scholarship fundraising efforts and CMN hospitals.  I will continue to build on these efforts.


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 that hard work, perseverance, and dedication will serve me well through life.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is D.A.N.C.E., Dancing to Accomplish and Nurture Creative Excellence.  Dancing is my passion and I work to help others in my community find their passions.

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 like to expand my platform across Virginia by incorporating other dance studios in my platform.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I perform an acro/jazz routine which incorporates dance with tumbling skills.


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 encourage anyone who is interested in the MAO to go for it!  Pageants in this system can be so rewarding while helping you develop into a wonderful young lady.

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 MAO system goes beyond the outward appearance.  This system helps to develop well-rounded girls who give back to the community.

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 the new titleholder helps to encourage young people along the way to believe in themselves and to know they can make a difference.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am someone who is very determined with an amazing work ethic, and when I set a goal, I work to achieve that goal.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Follow me on Facebook at Miss Crooked Road’s Outstanding Teen.