Five Chesapeake women vie for Miss Virginia crown

There she is - Miss Chesapeake, Miss Chesapeake, Miss Chesapeake, Miss Chesapeake, Miss Chesapeake.

Rosemary Willis may be the actual Miss Chesapeake, but five women who come from the city will compete in the Miss Virginia Pageant Saturday, June 26, at the Roanoke Civic Center & Performing Arts Theater. (If you're wondering how that can be, some cities have "open" pageants that do not require residency rules.)

We got a chance to ask them a few questions before their big night.

Rosemary Willis

MISS CHESAPEAKE

Age: 19

High school: Indian River

What you're doing now? A rising sophomore at the College of William and Mary.

Platform: My platform is Y.E.A.H! (Youth Education and Awareness of HIV/AIDS). I was inspired to choose this platform after I traveled to Malawi, Africa, where AIDS is the leading cause of death for adults.... When I returned to the U.S., I took a trip to New York, where I was able to help with free HIV testing in clinics in several of the boroughs. I realized AIDS wasn't just an "African" problem, but is an increasing problem in America, where 51 percent of the new contractions each year are in people under the age of 25.

Talent: Vocal - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston

Your favorite spot in Chesapeake: Chesapeake City Park

Pageant resume: Miss Chesapeake's Outstanding Teen 2008, Miss Indian River 2009, Miss Chesapeake 2010

Your worst pageant moment: My first time on stage in a swimsuit was embarrassing and took some getting used to!

Favorite part of pageants: I love the talent portion. It's where I feel most at home, performing on stage, and connecting with the audience.

Least favorite part: All of the money spent on wardrobes.

Secret indulgence: Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream... anything chocolate!

Three people you'd like to have dinner with: Sandra Bullock, Beyonce, Thomas Jefferson (W&M alum!)

Bet you didn't know: When I was 16, I flew out to California to audition for "American Idol."

Long-term goal/aspiration: I hope to attend law school. I'm interested in maybe working as a political analyst, a lawyer for International Justice Mission, or running for public office one day.

Why you'd like to be Miss Virginia: As a young girl, I always looked for an older female who could be a role model for me, and stood for what a successful woman in today's society should be like. I strive to be that positive role model for today's youth through the Miss Virginia Organization, which celebrates intelligent, talented, capable, and articulate women all across the state.

Ashley Smith

MISS HAMPTON ROADS

Age: 21

High school: Oscar Smith

What you're doing now? I just graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications from Old Dominion University and plan to attend Regent University in the fall to pursue a master's in journalism. I am also a freelance anchorwoman and reporter for WCTV, Chesapeake city cable channel.

Platform: "Breast Cancer: It's Not Just Hereditary." I became involved in it when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago. Ever since then I have become very passionate about the fight to eradicate cancer altogether and the strong bond survivors share.

Talent: I sing.

Your favorite spot in Chesapeake: Geisha Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, best food ever

Pageant resume: Miss Oscar Smith High School 2006; Miss Virginia Beach 2006; top 10 semifinalist at Miss Virginia 2006; Miss Virginia Peanut 2007; Miss Norfolk 2008; Miss Chesapeake 2009; top 11 semifinalist and Miss Virginia Outstanding Community Service Award recipient at Miss Virginia 2009

Your worst pageant moment: In 2007, I competed at Miss Virginia as Miss Virginia Peanut and I wanted to pick a song for talent that would blow everyone away! The problem was the song wasn't in my vocal range. I screamed my way through that song.

Favorite part of pageants: Again, ironically, talent.

Least favorite part: Probably swimsuit. Geisha is amazing, but I always overeat when I go there for some reason.

Secret indulgence: Can I say Japanese food again?

Three people you'd like to have dinner with: That's easy, my grandparents.

Bet you didn't know: I have an addiction. I own more than 200 pairs of shoes!

Long term goal/aspiration: To become an anchorwoman for a major news station! I intend to become a mix of Katie Couric, Oprah and awesome.

Why you'd like to be Miss Virginia: It was only an act of God that made it possible for me to compete in the Miss Virginia Pageant. If selected, I can spread the message that any of us can become Miss Virginia. You just have to want it bad enough.

Meredith Leigh Brown

MISS HAMPTON-NEWPORT NEWS

Age: 20

High School: Great Bridge

What are you doing now? I am a senior at Old Dominion University, where I am a history major and a secondary-education minor.

Platform: My platform is compassion and hope for childhood cancer patients. I was inspired by the experiences at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, where I volunteered 200 hours in the oncology unit.

Talent: Jazz dance

Favorite spot in Chesapeake: Panera Bread in Greenbrier, or Oak Grove Lake Park, where I love to walk my two golden retrievers.

Pageant resume: Miss Great Bridge 2007; Miss Teen Chesapeake 2007, where I won the talent award; Miss Portsmouth Seawall 2009 where I won the swimsuit and evening gown award. Miss Hampton-Newport News 2009, where I won talent, the interview and Miss Congeniality.

Worst pageant moment: I accidentally got lipstick down the front of my white evening gown 10 minutes before I had to go onstage.

Favorite part of pageants: The difficulty of the interview because it has taught me to think on my feet.

Least favorite part: Wearing 5-inch heels for long periods of time.

Secret indulgence: Homemade apple pie with vanilla ice cream

Three people you'd like to have dinner with: Eleanor Roosevelt, Lucille Ball and actor Edward Cullen

Bet you didn't know: I love to bake. My banana nut bread and sweet potato biscuits are a popular request.

Longtime goal/aspiration: I plan to receive my master's degree in school administration and teach high school history.

Why you want to be Miss Virginia: Virginia is one of the most beautiful, diverse and historic states, and I would be honored to serve as Virginia's ambassador.

Crystal Brickhouse

MISS NORFOLK

Age: 21

High school: Indian River

What you're doing now? Graduated from Spelman College in May and have been accepted into dental school.

Platform: "Healthy Smiles are Worthwhile:" Promoting Oral Health Awareness. I would like to further spread the message that oral health has a profound impact on systemic health.

Talent: Violin

Favorite spot in Chesapeake: Greenbrier Mall

Pageant resume: Miss Norfolk is the first pageant I have won!

Your worst pageant moment: When I competed in a pageant, my microphone went haywire as I played the violin.

Favorite part of pageants: Interview

Least favorite part: All of the paperwork

Secret indulgence: Chocolate milkshakes

Three people you'd like to have dinner with: Dr. Bill Dorfman, Sarah Chang and Michelle Obama.

Bet you didn't know: I participated in a sign-language ministry at my church.

Long term goal/aspiration: Own and operate my private practice as an orthodontist.

Why you'd like to be Miss Virginia: I want to redefine perceptions of pageantry as Miss Virginia 2010 by continuing to be a relatable, imperfect, and open-minded young woman who is confident in my own skin and able to let my beauty radiate from within.

Elizabeth Crot

MISS PORTSMOUTH SEAWALL

Age: 22

High school: Hickory

What you're doing now? I have one semester left at James Madison University where I am studying English. I am waitressing at Johnny Manana's at the Oceanfront.

Platform: Get Involved - Change Your World. I love to sing, and have used my voice to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association and Children's Miracle Network.

Talent: I sing.

Favorite spot in Chesapeake: My church, Great Bridge Presbyterian

Pageant resume: Top 10 at Miss Virginia 2009; third runner-up at Miss Virginia 2008

Your worst pageant moment: I sing opera, so one time I was wearing a ballgown for talent and forgot the hoop that went under it. I had to literally cut off the bottom of the dress so I wouldn't trip over it!

Favorite part of pageants: Winning. Second favorite part - meeting the other girls; some of them will be in my wedding some day.

Least favorite part: Gossip websites

Secret indulgence: Laying on the beach

Three people you'd like to have dinner with: Kristen Chenoweth, Toni Morrison, Rachel Maddow

Bet you didn't know: I have rappelled down my freshmen dorm, jumped off a waterfall and ridden in a monster truck. Next up: sky diving.

Long term goal/aspiration: I would like to earn a master's degree in women's studies and eventually a doctorate in diversity studies.

Why you'd like to be Miss Virginia: I want to reverse the stereotype of the "pageant girl," which I can achieve through my out-of-the-box way of thinking.

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 222-5218, vicki.friedman@pilotonline.com