Interview with WRVA 1140 (Richmond)
Click photo for more pictures by Julius Tolentino!
The Miss Virginia Organization hosted a send-off for Tara at Roanoke College. Tara is pictured with Harlen Gudger, Executive Director of Miss Virginia. Tara's father baked a delicious pie, complete with a crown and Tara's name!
Tara continued her media tour at WPXW-TV in Fairfax.
Tara is pictured with
JT, owner of Ocean Tan, Miss Virginia's Mystic
Tanning sponsor.
TLC Event (Bethesda, MD)
Washington Capitals Game Promoting Tara at Miss A! (Washington, DC)
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Miss America on TLC
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Return from Las Vegas
Tara jumped back into the job of Miss
Virginia at Mountain View Elementary where she gave her Right Decisions,
Right Now presentation to over 850 students
Tara was invited to attend
Casino Royale - a fundraiser for the UVA Children's Hospital
in Charlottesville. She is pictured with David Black,
Assistant Vice President of the hospital.
Tara visited with students at Grove Hill Elementary where she shared her Right Decisions, Right Now presentation to their guidance classes.
While in Shenandoah, Tara met with grades 5-7 at Shenandoah Elementary.
Wounded Warrior Pentagon Luncheon
(Arlington)
The Miss Virginia Organization is committed to supporting our troops. Tara was honored to be asked to return to the Pentagon to attend the Wounded Warriors Luncheon. Tara met General David Petraeus, Chief of the US Central Command. She also signed autographs for soldiers and met Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney McKinley.
The Miss Virginia Organization is committed to supporting our troops. Tara was honored to be asked to return to the Pentagon to attend the Wounded Warriors Luncheon. Tara met General David Petraeus, Chief of the US Central Command. She also signed autographs for soldiers and met Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney McKinley.
Tara served as the Mistress of
Ceremonies and performed at the Miss Chesapeake Pageant.
Tara visited the school of her
Miss Virginia princess, Ann-Garland King, to present her
"Right Decisions, Right Now" program.
Tara teamed up with a number of
celebrities in the Richmond area, including the Maytag Man,
to raise money for and awareness of the plight of the
homeless in Richmond. Tara is pictured with Debi Bosco of
CARITAS and some of the guests.
A cause near and dear to Tara's
heart is THON at Penn State - a fundraiser for pediatric
cancer. She danced as a student in THON '05 and helped
raise over $4.1 million dollars by going 48 hrs without
sitting or sleeping. She was invited back to host as Miss
Virginia. At the end of the weekend, over $7.3 million was
raised - a new THON record!
What seemed like the entire female population of Grundy came out for the "Fancy Nancy" tea. Librarian Kathy McNalley designed the event around the book by the same name. Tara enjoyed encouraging the little girls to read.
|Tara greeted customers at the Valley View IHOP to raise money and awareness of the Children's Miracle Network. She is pictured with the restaurant managers, one of their guests, and with her own stack of pancakes!
Tara visited Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Franklin County High School, and Boones Mill Elementary School and presented her "Right Decisions, Right Now" school presentation. She enjoyed meeting the Junior ROTC at FCHS. Thanks to JT Foley for helping to coordinate these visits.
Cheetahs Hockey Shootout for Disabled
Children (Rockville, MD)
Tara travelled
to Maryland to take part in an ice hockey shootout
to raise money for disabled athletes. She blocked
17 or 32 shots and helped to raise over $1,000.
Tara helped to kick off
the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and
Technology) DC Robotics Competition
with Dean Kamen, founder,
and Senator and former Democratic Presidential Nominee,
John Kerry. She met the teams and cheered them on in
the competition.
Tara was on hand for the
crowning of the new Miss Greater Springfield. She signed
autographs with the outgoing Miss Greater Springfield and
current Miss Apple Blossom Festival, Caitlin Uze.
Tara read to the patients at
Carilion in Roanoke, a CMN hospital, to honor Dr. Seuss on
his birthday.
Tara was
invited to be a part of the first Miss Alexandria Pageant.
Congratulations to new Executive Director, Jason Robinson!
Tara spoke to the AVID (Advancement Via
Individual Determination) students at Indian River Middle School
Tara received a warm welcome today at
Fieldale-Collinsville. The 8th grade students presented her with a card
and a 7th grader spent weeks making a hand made wind-chime The pieces at
the bottom make the shape of Virginia when you line them up! A special
thanks to everyone at the school for welcoming Miss Virginia back to the
school again this year.
Tara joined forces with the
Children's National Medical Center and WFLS-FM in
Fredericksburg to raise money for the Children's Miracle
Network. She did an interview with deejays Jessica Cash and
Geoff Moore. She is also pictured with DJ Todd Grimstead.
The radiothon raised $20,000 Friday morning alone!
To spark interest and excitement in scouting, Tara was invited to this event to encourage the young girls to strive to be their best and appreciate their unique qualities.
Tara continued her Right Decisions, Right Now school tour at Grafton Middle School in York County
Greta Van Susteren
Show on Fox
Tara was included in
Greta Van Susteren's "Best of the Rest" segment, promoting
her fundraising efforts!
Tara visited the middle school of Miss Virginia's Outstanding Preteen in Chesapeake on St. Patrick's Day. Thanks to Dr. Jean Infantino for welcoming Tara to Hickory.
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Tara
spent the morning in New York City and the afternoon in
Washington, DC promoting her fundraising efforts for the St.
Baldrick's Foundation.
With Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America"
Having a diva moment with Diane Sawyer of "Good Morning America"
Being interviewed on "America's Newsroom" on Fox
With new Redskins cornerback, DeAngelo Hall (right) at the "Washington Post Live" Show
With Robin Roberts of "Good Morning America"
Having a diva moment with Diane Sawyer of "Good Morning America"
Being interviewed on "America's Newsroom" on Fox
With "Washington Post Live" host, Russ Thaler
With the hosts of "America's Newsroom", Bill
Hemmer and Megyn Kelly
With new Redskins cornerback, DeAngelo Hall (right) at the "Washington Post Live" Show
Tara sang the National Anthem to open the Virginia Farm Bureau Sales Conference in McLean.
Media
Appearances In Richmond
Tara started her day with Jack and Jen on Mix 103.7 FM. Then, she appeared on "Virginia This Morning" with hosts Julie Bragg and Greg McQuade. After a brief stop at Starbucks, she was n the Channel 8 Noon News show with anchor Morgan Dean.
Tara appeared on News Channel 8's "Let's Talk Live!" with hosts Natasha Barrett and Doug McKelway.
America’s Ultimate Miss (Waynesboro)
Tara was invited to speak with the contestants at the America's Ultimate Miss Pageant. There, she received a key to the city of Staunton.
Tara was invited to speak with the contestants at the America's Ultimate Miss Pageant. There, she received a key to the city of Staunton.
Dr. Suess' Birthday was snowy so Miss Virginia's annual
visit to Sinai School was postponed. As always, Miss
Virginia was well-received as she read to the students and
honored their top students.
Channel 10
Heroes Luncheon (Roanoke)
Tara with Guadalupe
who waited all day to ask Tara what her favorite color was and got so
pumped when she found it was the same as hers - yellow!
Tara was invited to
Smithland to address all of their students about the negative
consequences of bullying.
Tara joined anchor Kimberly McBroom on the early morning news. Click on the photo to see the interview.
Tara was invited to the VIP reception at the NCAA's Frozen Four in Washington, DC. She is pictured with members of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.
Tara
joined her friends Alana, Libby, and Allyson at the Salem
Red Sox game where she sang the National Anthem.
Washington
Nationals Home Opener (Washington, DC)
Tara was invited to the Nationals home opener. She sat seven rows behind home plate in the Lexus Presidential Suite! Washington Capitals player Nick Backstrom sat right in front of Tara and her father. Nick and Tara did a Thanksgiving charity event together with the Caps.
Monticello Visitor
Center Grand Opening (Charlottesville)
Tara joined "Thomas Jefferson" at the grand opening of the visitors and education center at Monticello.
Interview with Mike
O'Meara (Fairfax)
Tara was interviewed by Mike O'Meara for his nationally syndicated radio show.
Right Decisions,
Right Now presentation at Booker Elementary (Hampton)
Tara was thankful for the gifts from the students at Booker after her Right Decisions, Right Now presentation.
Mt.
Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Stars and Stripes Ball
(Alexandria)
Tara sang the National Anthem and spoke at the annual Stars and Stripes Ball, hosted by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. The ball honors police officers and firefighters and their invaluable efforts. She is pictured with John Herrity of Alexandria Chevrolet that provides Miss Virginia's automobile.
Tara sang the National Anthem and spoke at the annual Stars and Stripes Ball, hosted by the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. The ball honors police officers and firefighters and their invaluable efforts. She is pictured with John Herrity of Alexandria Chevrolet that provides Miss Virginia's automobile.
Tara had
a wonderful time at the 60th annual Charlottesville Dogwood
Festival! The week started with a fashion show, sponsored
by Belk. The "Fun Bus" was Tara's transportation for the
week of tours, community service projects, and festival
functions. She is pictured with Al Matacia, former Dogwood
Festival President and one of Tara's Miss Virginia judges,
Dogwood Queen, Ashlyn Jenkins, and Michelle Kang, Miss
Virginia 1996. Special thanks to Festival President Frieda
Loose-Wagner for coordinating Tara's visit to
Charlottesville.
Click on picture for more photos by Julius Tolentino
Film Miss VA PSA (Richmond)
Right Decision, Right Now Presentation
at Bull Run Middle School (Gainesville)
“Pink” Media Networking Event (Washington, DC)
(Photos by Julius Tolentino)
VIRGINIA Class Submarine Program Manager (CAPT Michael Jabaley), presenting Tara with a portrait of the sub:
And here's
our tournament organizer, Walt Reuben, presenting her with a
USS VA Submarine cap.
Tara was invited to Mountain View Elementary's Career Day to serve as the keynote speaker. She spoke about the job of Miss Virginia as well as utilizing all of your talents in selecting a future career choice.
(Richmond) Tara filmed a segment for the Virginia
Lottery, a sponsor of the Miss Virginia Pageant.
Thanks to Glade Spring Middle School for inviting Miss Virginia back to their school again this year.
Tara was invited by Agility, a leading provider of logistical services for the war in Iraq, to be their special guest at a golf tournament to raise money for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. She is pictured with wounded warriors and Vince Papale, the football player that inspired the movie, "Invincible".
Tara looked forward to returning to Gunston where she spoke
as Miss Arlington last year.
Shenandoah Academy Graduation
(Harrisonburg)
Tara spoke at the graduation and
promotion ceremony at the Shenandoah Academy.
Tara shared her "Right Decisions, Right Now" message at Armstrong Elementary and participated in the promotion ceremony. She is pictured with their principal, Shane Wolfe and with a new friend.
BREC Academy Graduation
(Petersburg)
Tara spoke at BREC
Academy's graduation and promotion ceremony.
Tara was honored to be invited to
serve as the commencement speaker at her high school,
Gar-Field Senior High School. The graduation was held at
the Patriot Center. Tara's mother is also a teacher at the
school.
The team captain of the winning team, Loopy Price, receives a winning hug from Tara. The other members of the winning team were Carl Leonard, Greg McCroskey, and Eric Early. We wish to thank everyone who played or provided sponsorship through door prizes, gifts, food, and other contributions.
Tara
was on hand for the Miss Virginia Golf Tourney to raise
money for our scholarship fund. In keeping with the weather
trends this spring, she got soaked!!!!
Tara joined children with incarcerated parents in Henrico for C.U.R.E.'s annual family day.
Ivan Carter from Washington Post Live
(Photo by Anne Royster)
