Lauren Watson, a Carl Sandburg Middle School eighth grader, captain on the School Dance Team, and pre-professional dancer with the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center was chosen to represent Virginia as Miss Virginia American Teenager Jr. Queen at the National Pageant held Thanksgiving Weekend. Lauren competed in three categories for the Miss American Teenager Jr. Queen title: personal interview, swimsuit and evening gown. A separate category of State Costume, where she wore a Sailor Outfit representing Virginia’s largest employer the Department of Defense located in the Pentagon.
Miss American Jr Queen (12-15) top 5 consisted of 4th Runner Up – Pennsylvania, 3rd Runner Up - Park City, Kentucky, 2nd Runner Up – California, 1st Runner Up – Tennessee, and Winner Virginia – Lauren Watson.
Lauren is involved in her community dance programs and ConKerr Cancer. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Fine Arts Center, Lauren danced and was a dance assistant with Just Dance in Belle Haven. She works with the CSMS Dance Team workshops. She has danced with the Joffrey Ballet School in N.Y.C. and the Radio City Rockettes. Lauren’s platform is teen nutrition and fitness awareness.
Lauren was sponsored by numerous local businesses including Hollin Hall Automotive, Dr. Herbert Hughes Orthodontist, Just Dance, Metropolitan Fine Arts Center, the Carl Sandburg Dance Team and lots of family and friends.