Thursday, November 6, 2008

Miss Apple Blossom Contestants

Heather Baker of Troutville is a social sciences major at Virginia Western Community College. She will dance for her talent competition. Her platform is “Get Involved, Stay Involved, and VOTE!” Her sponsor is Winchester Printers.

Loren Ferster of Winchester is a junior at Shenandoah Conservatory, majoring in musical theater. Her career ambition is to perform on Broadway. Loren will sing for her talent competition, and her platform is promoting arts literacy. Loren’s sponsor is Q102.

Emily Hall of Louisa is a freshman at Piedmont Virginia Community College, majoring in music education. Her career ambition is to teach music in elementary schools. She will sing for the talent competition, and her platform is “4-H — Developing Our Youth.” She is sponsored by Winchester Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Alyce Haynes of Salem is a freshman at Radford University, majoring in fashion merchandising. She will sing for her talent competition. Her platform is “Empowering Women/Body Drama.” Her sponsor is Billy Carter and family.

Araina Holloway (not pictured) of Arlington is a graduate of George Mason University and is a student at Georgetown University, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism. Her career ambition is to be a broadcast journalist in sports and entertainment. She will sing for her talent, and her platform is curing cancer, specifically colon cancer. Her sponsor is A New Century Realty.

Bethany Munt(not pictured) of Alexandria is a William Smith College graduate and a student at George Mason University, pursuing a master’s degree in public policy. Her platform is “Pets Promoting Literacy.” Her sponsor is Powers Great American Midways.

Erika Thomas of Winchester is a communications major at James Madison University. Her career ambition is to own a marketing and media specialist company. She will perform a jazz dance for the talent competition. Her platform is “Reducing Truancy and Increasing School Attachment: One Day at a Time.” She is sponsored by First Bank.

Melanie Torrence of Amissville is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington, where she majored in sociology. Her career ambition is to practice criminal law. She will play the flute for the talent competition. Her platform is “Recognizing the Importance of the Special Olympics in the Lives of the Disabled.” Her sponsor is Watts Financial Group.

Caitlin Uze of Arlington is a social work major at James Madison University. Her career ambition is to positively impact lives as a social worker. She will perform an Irish dance for the talent competition. Her platform is ”Building Positive Self Image.” Her sponsor is Fraternal Order of Eagles 824.

Stephanie Van Petten of Chesapeake attends Longwood University, majoring in elementary education. Her career ambition is to become an elementary school teacher. Stephanie will perform a tap dance for the talent competition. Her platform is “Stand Up! Stand Out! Eliminating Peer Pressure and Promoting Positive Self Esteem.” Her sponsor is American Woodmark Corp.

These girls will compete in the teen contest:

Taylor Campbell of Manassas is a 7th-grader at Stonewall Middle School. She is a soccer player, cheerleader, track runner, and swimmer, as well as an honor roll student. She will be tap-dancing for her talent competition; her platform is promoting literacy in reading.

Ashley Gregory of Mechanicsville is a freshman at Hanover High School. She is a Hanover Show Biz Kid, a National Junior Beta Club inductee, and has raised money for Children’s Miracle Network. She will perform a jazz ballet routine for her talent competition. Her platform is “Working with Special Needs Children.”

Miranda Harrison of Glen Allen is a sophomore at JR Tucker High School and Henrico Center for the Arts. She is a trained dancer and a member of the Ecology Club, Keyettes, Interact Club, and Drama Club. She will sing for her talent competition. Her platform is “Go Green Girl.”

Danielle Stryker of Winchester is a freshman at Foxcroft School. She is a performer at Wayside Theatre in Middletown while taking classes at Shenandoah University. She will perform a Shakespearean monologue for her talent competition, and her platform is “Stop Animal Cruelty.”


As long as I get through most of my homework, I plan to drive up and cheer on some of these girls. I have lots of friends competing, so it will be exciting to be in the audience!! Extra good luck wishes to Katie, Emily Hall, Heather Baker, Miranda H, and Taylor Campbell! I also love watching other tap dancers, so it will be a treat to see both Taylor and Stephanie!

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