Dominick Fink
Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2011
How did you start competing in pageants and why did you decide to compete in the Miss Greater Richmond's Outstanding Teen pageant?
As a child I was very shy! I was very attached to my mother. She put me in a pageant & I immediately loved being on the stage.
As a previous state titleholder in the preteen age group, I knew that one day I wanted to be MVOT. I competed at state & placed 1st runner up at age 13 & 14. So when the time came to make a decision about competing again, Greater Richmond was the place for me. Mrs. Minton understood my goals & treated me like I was her own daughter. She never allowed me to give up on myself and pushed me to be the best I could be. I am forever grateful for her friendship and guidance.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of the Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen pageant?
It all happened so fast! I just remember praying! I wasn’t praying to be called the winner; I was praying for peace in whatever the judge’s decision was.
Tell us about your platform, "Helping Underprivileged Girls Succeed".
In 2006, I started distributing tote bags full of school supplies to local teens in need. Being enrolled in a predominately urban school, I saw friends and classmates struggle to bring in the basic daily supplies. I could see the embarrassment they felt having to ask for a pencil or sheet of paper. I knew my supply closet at home was filled with more paper and pens then I would ever need, so I began bringing in extras for anyone who asked. Six months later, I was reaching out to churches, schools, homeless shelters and social service agencies with enough supplies to help these students get through an entire year. By providing alternative options for teenager who want to do better in school but cannot afford the tools necessary to do so is how my passion to help this issue began. To date, I have positively impacted the lives of over 600 teenagers.
How long have you been dancing for and how did you begin to dance?
My first class was at age 3. After one year I wanted to try cheerleading so I spent the next 4 years in the gym. At age 8, my mother enrolled me in a local dance studio and I feel in love with it. As a rising high school freshman, I was accepted into the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts, dance department.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen?
The kids!!! I am grateful for every opportunity the Miss Virginia Organization provided me but meeting so many children and hearing their stories has forever changed me.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen ended?
My year of service ended in June 2012. I have spent the last week months enjoying summer and traveling. I plan to graduate early so I will begin my senior year of high school next week.
As a child I was very shy! I was very attached to my mother. She put me in a pageant & I immediately loved being on the stage.
As a previous state titleholder in the preteen age group, I knew that one day I wanted to be MVOT. I competed at state & placed 1st runner up at age 13 & 14. So when the time came to make a decision about competing again, Greater Richmond was the place for me. Mrs. Minton understood my goals & treated me like I was her own daughter. She never allowed me to give up on myself and pushed me to be the best I could be. I am forever grateful for her friendship and guidance.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the winner of the Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen pageant?
It all happened so fast! I just remember praying! I wasn’t praying to be called the winner; I was praying for peace in whatever the judge’s decision was.
Tell us about your platform, "Helping Underprivileged Girls Succeed".
In 2006, I started distributing tote bags full of school supplies to local teens in need. Being enrolled in a predominately urban school, I saw friends and classmates struggle to bring in the basic daily supplies. I could see the embarrassment they felt having to ask for a pencil or sheet of paper. I knew my supply closet at home was filled with more paper and pens then I would ever need, so I began bringing in extras for anyone who asked. Six months later, I was reaching out to churches, schools, homeless shelters and social service agencies with enough supplies to help these students get through an entire year. By providing alternative options for teenager who want to do better in school but cannot afford the tools necessary to do so is how my passion to help this issue began. To date, I have positively impacted the lives of over 600 teenagers.
How long have you been dancing for and how did you begin to dance?
My first class was at age 3. After one year I wanted to try cheerleading so I spent the next 4 years in the gym. At age 8, my mother enrolled me in a local dance studio and I feel in love with it. As a rising high school freshman, I was accepted into the Governor’s School for the Performing Arts, dance department.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen?
The kids!!! I am grateful for every opportunity the Miss Virginia Organization provided me but meeting so many children and hearing their stories has forever changed me.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen ended?
My year of service ended in June 2012. I have spent the last week months enjoying summer and traveling. I plan to graduate early so I will begin my senior year of high school next week.