2
Here she is pictured with their mascot, "Uncle Slam".
9
Tara returned to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC for the first time since being crowned Miss Virginia. Tara has visited the hospital a number of times as a local titleholder. Children's is one of Virginia's five CMN facilities.
Thanks to Katie Ahrens and Erica Newman for coordinating Tara's visit.
11
Tara met with wounded soldiers at a luncheon at the Pentagon. This was extremely meaningful for her as her father has completed three tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. While at the Pentagon, Tara visited the US Air Force Memorial. Tara was an Air Force ROTC cadet at Penn State.
Tara and her classmates at her Dale Carnegie High Impact Presentations
class.
Tara attended the VIP reception for the Coventry Commonwealth Games at the Hotel Roanoke on July 17th. She is pictured with Madison VanDuyne, Miss Apple Blossom Festival and with "Survivor Africa" winner and founder of "Grassroots Soccer", Ethan Zohn.
Tara sang, led the Pledge of
Allegiance, and gave the invocation at the Opening
Ceremonies of the Coventry Commonwealth Games. She met with
many athletes, Ethan Zohn, and pro BMX bikers who were on
hand for the ceremonies.
Tara with Jerry Monahan, Senior Vice President at Colonial Downs
Tara with Derby Bill and for the 3rd year in
a row - Miss Virginia has picked the winner of the Virginia Derby!
Tara is serenaded by "The Press Gang"
(above photos by Anne Royster)
Tara and the 7 jockeys in the Virginia
Derby. The Derby was won by Gio Ponti with Garrett Gomez on board (3rd
jockey from left).
Check out Julius' photos at www.pbase.com/nikonbuff/2008virginiaderby
Again this year, Miss Virginia was a part of Park Oak Grove's annual open house. Tara signed autographs and sang a few songs.
Click on picture for more photos by Julius Tolentino!
Tara waves to the crowd (l) and with the new Tiny Miss - Emily Kinsey.
Tara was invited to tour the US Marine Corps Base in Quantico. She is pictured with Marines who work with HMX-1, which are presidential helicopters. She is holding presidential M&M's in front of the President's helicopter. In keeping with Tara's new "tradition", she tried on more fireman gear! Thanks to all of the guys who made this a great day and thank you for serving our country.
Tara and Caitlin at MAOT. Click on picture for more photos provided by Tara!!
Tara had a planning meeting with Melinda Hudson and Chrystal Morris of America's Promise. Tara will serve as a spokesperson for this wonderful organization. They gave Tara the official America's Promise wagon pin!
Tara travelled to her alma mater, Penn State, where she visited with Dr. Spanier, Penn State's President. She also met with Mo Stoemel, Head Coach of the Lady Icers hockey team. While a student at Penn State, Tara danced in THON (www.thon.org) that raises millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research so she was thrilled to meet with the THON captains for this year to talk about how she can be involved. She also stopped by Air Force ROTC Detachment 720. Finally, she was on the air with Drew Shannon on Joe-FM, a State College radio station where Tara was an intern. Go Nittany Lions!!!
Tara spent the day with Tom and Ethel Smawley and the staff of The Encounter, Miss Virginia's generous Miss America wardrobe sponsor, to plan for Miss America 2009! Vicki Gudger, a member of our Miss America Preparation Team, accompanied Tara on this visit. A big thanks to The Encounter for a great day!
Tara was invited to ride in the Buena Vista Labor Day Parade and to sing the National Anthem at their festivities. Her former Blue Ridge Mountains Executive Directors David Desper and Tim Carrier joined her at the parade.
Tara kicked off her "Right Decisions, Right Now" school tour with a visit to Sinai Elementary School. Thanks to Principal Mike Wilborne for his constant support of the Miss Virginia Organization!
Tara surprised her friend, Amanda Stump, a former Miss Virginia contestant and coach of the William Byrd Volleyball Team at their game. Tara was asked to sing the "National Anthem" to kick off the evening.
Tara selected #2 in the Alpha group. She will have interview Monday afternoon, talent on Tuesday, on-stage question on Wednesday, and swimsuit and evening wear on Thursday. She was the 48th name selected in the lottery.
Tara was invited to attend a VIP reception for the upcoming
Sneaker Ball, held to honor professional athletes in the
Washington area. She will be a presenter at the event on
September 16th.
Tara met with middle school students at North Cross School in Roanoke to present her "Right Decisions, Right Now" presentation. She enjoyed meeting with members of the SCA after her presentation.
Sneaker Ball (Washington, DC)
Tara was invited by the Greater Washington
Sports Alliance to present the "Sportsman of the Year" award
to Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. She is
pictured with members of the Alliance, the Caps mascot, Alex
Ovechkin, Brooks Laich of the Capitals, and other
celebrities.
Tara attended a fashion show to raise money for Goodwill Industries at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. She purchased one of the dresses from the show - a tan and gold sheer number!
Tara participated in a fundraiser called, "Pink in the Rink" to raise money for breast cancer research at the Roanoke Civic Center. She autographed a goalie stick that was raffled off for the Susan G. Koman Foundation and she was a celebrity referee. She also dropped the puck to start the game. She was already to take shots from the Virginia Tech men's ice hockey team but none of the guys were ready for the Tara challenge!
10/09
Click on photo for more pictures!
Tara was invited to Cedar Point in Prince William County to give her school presentation. Thanks so Sarah Johnson, Guidance Counselor, for inviting Miss Virginia back to Cedar Point!
Thanks
to Ryan Corrigan for giving Tara a tour of Richmond Children's Hospital,
a CMN facility.
Tara was on hand for a Miss Virginia fundraiser at the beautiful Traditionals golf course. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. The tournament will be rescheduled for the spring.
Tara had a great day! She visited Melody Perdue at our terrific sponsor, Elizabeth Arden, who treated her to a shopping spree! She also enjoyed lunch at Elderberry's.
Tara stopped by INOVA's blood drive with the Washington Capitals to lend her support by encouraging donors and signing autographs.
Tara participated in the annual Marine Corps
Marathon in the Washington, DC area. She held the banner for the
women's 10K winner and was at the finish line to congratulate the
marathon participants. She is pictured with Miss DC, Kate Marie Grinold,
and Andy Baldwin, "The Bachelor". Julius also captured some great
pictures -
http://www.pbase.com/nikonbuff/2008mcm.
Click on above photo for more pictures by
Julius Tolentino!
Tara continued her school tour at Luray Elementary in Page County. She gave her presentation, met with students, and visited during lunch.
Tara was invited to sing and speak at the Voice of the Blue Ridge dinner celebrating volunteerism. The theme was "Volunteering is Magic". She is pictured with Sherrie Oliver, Coordinator of the volunteers and Miss Virginia Board Members, Bootie Chewning and Toni McLawhorn, and Miss Roanoke Valley Teen.
Tara visited Narrows Elementary in Giles County. Thanks to Mrs. Betty McCroskey for helping to organize Tara's visit.
Tara spent the day in King George County doing her Right Decisions, Right Now presentation at three schools. She is pictured with principal of King George Middle School and with students at all of the schools. She had a great day in King George!
Tara's day started on the back roads of
Washington County! Once she turned herself around, she had a great
morning at Damascus! She spoke to the student body and had lunch with
members of the SCA.
Special thanks to Garland Depew for inviting Tara to Wallace Middle School in Bristol! Tara enjoyed her visit and the school made her feel very special.
Tara was invited to
serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies at Old Dominion University's
Homecoming Pageant. She is pictured with last year's Homecoming Queen
and Ashley Smith, Miss Norfolk, who served as a judge. She was also
joined by ODU's student council. Thanks to Homecoming Chair, Mimi Crute,
for all of her hard work!
Even before she became Miss Virginia, Tara had been developing the concept of a hockey shootout to raise money for CMN. With the help of the Virginia Tech hockey team, Tara's first shootout raised $160. Thanks to Brian Myers and all of the coaches and players for a great evening. They presented Tara with her own jersey and she blocked shots from 18 spectators and several of the VT players.
Tara was a part of the "Caps Family Thanksgiving - Miracle on Seventh Street" at the Chop House in Washington, DC. She joined Washington Capitals players Mike Green, Brooks Laich, and Nick Backstrom where over 500 needy children and their families were treated to a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. She signed autographs, talked to children and their families, and she was a Caps TV reporter for the day, interviewing players and families and hosting the filming of the event.
Click on link for video of Tara in goal.
Tara was invited to Check Elementary by Principal Mike Greco. She is pictured with a little girl who spent hours planning what to wear to meet with her!
Tara visited Rockledge Elementary in her hometown of Woodbridge.
Once again this year, Miss Virginia was invited
to participate in the Bedford Christmas Parade. In addition to the
parade, Miss Virginia is invited to tour the D-Day memorial. She is
pictured with delegate Lacey Putney, members of the American Legion, and
with her escort, Lt. Tobin. Thank you, Nick Soukhanov, for organizing
Tara's visit!
Tara spoke with the students at Woodbridge Middle School in her hometown.
Tara was on WDBJ's morning show with
Bob Grebe the promote the Miss Virginia Santa Breakfast at
Applebee's in Roanoke on December 20th. She is pictured with
Bob and the whole WDBJ morning team.
Miss Virginia gets ready for Breakfast with Santa:
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=9553432
The NCAA Division III Football Championships
are held each year in Salem. Tara was invited to be a part of the
kickoff luncheon where she sang the National Anthem.
Tara is pictured with Santa Claus, the Musselwhite family, the Irby family, and other members of the Roanoke community. The proceeds of the breakfast will support the Miss Virginia scholarship fund. Thanks Applebee's!!!
While in Charlottesville, Tara continued on to NBC 29 Noon
News.
Later that day, Tara was in the Tidewater area at St. Mary's Home for Disabled Children. She sang her song for the Miss America Pageant and visited with the residents.
