Out of more than 100 finalists, Elisabetta Cantatore, a resident of Great Falls and sophomore at George Mason University, made it to the top 10 and was then crowned Miss Teen Virginia. Photo contributed
On Sunday April 3, girls from all over the state made their way to Richmond to represent their communities in this year's Miss Teen Virginia pageant. These girls were chosen as finalists among 700 teen applicants, including 19-year-old Elisabetta Cantatore, a resident of Great Falls and sophomore at George Mason University. Although Cantatore had never participated in a pageant before, she decided to attend the preliminary selection on a whim, just to see what it was all about. After receiving notice that she had been chosen as a finalist, she began to prepare for the pageant, which was judged on a personal interview with the judges and modeling routines involving casual and formal wear. Out of more than 100 finalists, she made it to the top 10 and was then crowned Miss Teen Virginia. She will receive an all-expense paid trip to the national competition in Orlando, Fla. where she will compete for the title of Miss Teen USA, as well as thousands of dollars in cash scholarships and other prizes. She studies psychology at George Mason and is looking forward to this new and exciting experience.