Tara Wheeler Interview
Miss Virginia 2008
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Arlington pageant?
All of the local pageants in Virginia are very impressive and have wonderful teams behind them. I decided to compete in the Miss Arlington pageant because it was very close to where I lived and I wanted to make the most of my title and really get involved in the community with my platform. As Miss Arlingon, I was blessed with an incredible prep team that helped me present my best self at Miss Virginia.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Virginia?
It was so surreal! I had a million thoughts running through my head: how much my life was about to change, how many lives I could change as Miss Virginia, and all of the people who had worked so hard and believed in me! It’s an amazing feeling to want something so badly and to finally reach that goal!
Tell us about your platform “Empowering America’s Youth”.
My platform focuses on giving young people the confidence to break stereotypes and embrace uniqness in themselves and in others. I also work to develop leadership skills in youth through community service. I believe the best way to help someone who is struggling is to show them that they have the power to help someone else!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
I am so blessed to have a team behind me that is open to new ideas and lets me help define my crown. My directors heard me out and let me go forward with my unique plan when most would have immediately shot it down. The stipulation was that I had to raise $500,000 by April 11th to be able to shave my head as Miss Virginia. I did not end up meeting my goal but I have raised about $30,000 which is no small feat! I will continue to fundraise and I am confident that I will hit my fundraising goal and shave after my reign is over.
Do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss Virginia?
Absolutely! Whether it was by raising thousands of dollars for charity, or making a little girls day who spent hours picking out what to wear to meet me, this title carries with it the power to change lives and change attitudes and I’ve worked to never take that for granted!
What are you up to now?
I am finishing out my last two months with the same excitement and drive as I started my first two. Although I am sad to see my year coming to an end, I am excited about the new projects in my future. I am working to secure a place in the sports broadcasting world so look for me on ESPN or the NHL network in the next couple of years!
All of the local pageants in Virginia are very impressive and have wonderful teams behind them. I decided to compete in the Miss Arlington pageant because it was very close to where I lived and I wanted to make the most of my title and really get involved in the community with my platform. As Miss Arlingon, I was blessed with an incredible prep team that helped me present my best self at Miss Virginia.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Virginia?
It was so surreal! I had a million thoughts running through my head: how much my life was about to change, how many lives I could change as Miss Virginia, and all of the people who had worked so hard and believed in me! It’s an amazing feeling to want something so badly and to finally reach that goal!
Tell us about your platform “Empowering America’s Youth”.
My platform focuses on giving young people the confidence to break stereotypes and embrace uniqness in themselves and in others. I also work to develop leadership skills in youth through community service. I believe the best way to help someone who is struggling is to show them that they have the power to help someone else!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America?
- During the final night of preliminary competition, Kirsten Haglund was singing “And so it Goes” for the last production number and all of the contestants were standing on stage. I looked out and saw everyone in the audience and all of the flash bulbs going off and it finally hit me that I was here at Miss America. I had been so busy all week and the gravity of where I was hadn’t sunk in until that moment. What an honor.
I am so blessed to have a team behind me that is open to new ideas and lets me help define my crown. My directors heard me out and let me go forward with my unique plan when most would have immediately shot it down. The stipulation was that I had to raise $500,000 by April 11th to be able to shave my head as Miss Virginia. I did not end up meeting my goal but I have raised about $30,000 which is no small feat! I will continue to fundraise and I am confident that I will hit my fundraising goal and shave after my reign is over.
Do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss Virginia?
Absolutely! Whether it was by raising thousands of dollars for charity, or making a little girls day who spent hours picking out what to wear to meet me, this title carries with it the power to change lives and change attitudes and I’ve worked to never take that for granted!
What are you up to now?
I am finishing out my last two months with the same excitement and drive as I started my first two. Although I am sad to see my year coming to an end, I am excited about the new projects in my future. I am working to secure a place in the sports broadcasting world so look for me on ESPN or the NHL network in the next couple of years!