Six contestants from Chesapeake vying for Miss Virginia

Chesapeake is a city of talented, home-grown beauties. One-fourth of the 24 women who will compete in the Miss Virginia Pageant on Saturday hail from our fair city.
Not a bad deal, said Jeff Bunn, who organizes the annual Miss Chesapeake Pageant. He said this is the first time he can remember such a great percentage from Chesapeake entered in Miss Virginia. The competition in Roanoke is a preliminary to the Miss America Pageant. It will air Saturday at 9 p.m. on WTKR News Channel 3.
A quick look at the six contestants with Chesapeake links:
- Miss Chesapeake Stephanie Van Petten, 20, is a 2006 graduate of Great Bridge High School and now a junior at Longwood University. Her platform is "Stand Up! Stand Out!," and her talent will be a tap dance routine.
- Miss Greater Richmond Jordan Forbes, 23, is a 2002 grad of Great Bridge High and a 2006 grad of the University of Virginia. Her platform is "A Call to Civic Responsibility," and her talent will be a vocal performance.
- Miss Norfolk Ashley Smith, 20, is a 2006 grad of Oscar Smith High and a junior at Old Dominion University. Her platform is "Breast Cancer: It's Not Just Hereditary," and her talent will be a vocal performance.
- Miss Southeastern Virginia Ciara Brown, 20, is a 2004 Indian River High grad and a 2008 graduate of Hampton University. Her platform is "Suicide Awareness & Prevention," and her talent will be a dance routine.
- Miss Hampton Roads Elizabeth Crot, 20, is a 2006 grad of Hickory High and a junior at James Madison University. Her platform is "Alzheimer's Advocacy & Awareness," and her talent will be a vocal performance.
- Miss Chesterfield Jessie Buckman, 22, is a 2003 grad of Great Bridge High and the Governor's School for the Arts, and a senior at George Mason University. Her platform is "Genocide Awareness: A Recurring World Problem," and her talent will be a vocal performance.
 
Eric Feber, 222-5203,
eric.feber@pilotonline.com