The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” is the reigning Miss Roanoke Valley’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Annika Suh. Annika has been a part of the Miss America Organization for six years now, having started within the Princess program – one of the largest mentoring programs for young girls interested in pageants. Continue reading to learn more about Annika 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.
I have participated in the Miss America system for six years as a princess, preteen, and teen and have loved it since seeing pictures of my crying mom holding her crown and flowers in joy and disbelief from many years ago. I love pandas and art but my main love is science.  I advocate for the S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) studies altogether because if to love one, you must have an appreciation for them all!

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
I originally was drawn to the program for the style component – I was young and wanted a crown for dress-up – but, eventually I came to realize the importance of all of the points. Service has made the most impact in my life so far thanks to the many fun and enriching experiences I’ve had while volunteering across Virginia. Prior to the Miss America Organization involvement, I kept a constant shell around me because I didn’t want to stand out and risk embarrassment; but now I have realized that without the shell I can meet and great people with even greater stories to tell. I love raising money for worthy causes through service; it’s my favorite so far.


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 brings a sense of maturity and advancement of the system. She is not just an admirable young lady, but also an amazing violinist. As a violinist myself, I appreciate the showmanship she also incorporates into her fiddling! She also keeps in touch with the local girls that will soon compete for her title, so overall, she is just a wonderful person. Our friendship began when I was a preteen and Isabella became a role model for me.

What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I realized that keeping in touch with the other titleholders is essential to keeping the system in a close bond. She is also such a trooper; after all, she did compete at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen with tonsillitis. I’m so thankful to call her a friend!

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
As I mentioned earlier, I advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M) studies, and I consider it an invisible fifth point on my crown! I am an aspiring future cardiologist and hope to attend Princeton or Johns Hopkins for college. I have loved science since childhood, and I am a violinist for the Salem Visual and Performing Arts Academy (V.P.A.A). I truly believe that art and science benefit one another by engaging the entire brain to be creative and precise. I want other young girls and boys to find a love of science like I did! I also advocate for the national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The local hospitals they fund continue to help children heal their illnesses and injuries, whether they be major or minor problems. My local CMN hospital cared for me through two years of laser surgery 14 years ago, treated my retinal injury for 8 months last year, and most recently confirmed that my ankle is ready to run again!


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 be open to any new ideas, but since money is a large incentive, I want to collaborate with colleges and offer more localized scholarships in Virginia, and, if the opportunities arises, throughout America! I have already advertised the national platform throughout my community. I have dedicated many hours to promoting S.T.E.A.M studies in schools through weekly tutoring of elementary students, being a counselor for school sponsored summer camps, weekly Sunday school teaching, speaking to Girl Scout troops, and just by being a S.T.E.A.M. lover myself!

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I will play Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” on my violin, but I’m putting a twist on it that will only be seen at the pageant itself. I can only say that everyone will be shocked (wink wink!) I still remember my brother and me jamming out to this song in the backseat of the family mini-van, so I am excited to reignite the Michael Jackson spark!

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?
You do NOT have to abide by the beauty standards society puts on us as young women because all you need is the heart of a servant, the mind of an innovator, and a hardworking attitude that can withstand the criticism!


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?
Once I mention the amount of scholarship I have earned, most people realize that it is more than just the tiara that is important.  Sometimes I am given advice such as “just tie your answer into world peace and you’ll win,” or told that it is weird that I do pageants because I look like a smart person that throws on a sweatshirt and jeans everyday. Although it takes time, eventually the explanation about my platform work, interview, talent, fitness, onstage question, and the struggle of heels helps to break the stereotype pageant girls are faced with.  However, sometimes it’s easiest to just say “The Miss America System gives the crown to a girl who can solve the world’s problems in 15 seconds!”

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 she can tie the community together and find new and innovative ways to showcase the platforms of every organization she can, while still advocating for her own platform and the national platform. I also hope that she thoroughly enjoys the journey, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Virginia deserves an outstanding teen, and I have no doubt that one will be picked!


Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
My “bravura” quality is my ability to work hard and persevere through any task I set my mind to! I would choose hard work over natural talent any day of the week, so I always give my best!

Where can fans follow you on social media?
I have a Facebook account called Miss Roanoke Valley’s Outstanding Teen, that anyone can follow!

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Stay in school, and do not be afraid to take the leap and try something new!