I don’t know if it’s me or my imagination, but lately it seems when we look at the beauty queen circuit, the ambitions and causes of these young women contestants really are improving from days of yesteryear.  Tara Wheeler, Miss Virginia 2008, has adopted a message “Empowering America’s Youth” and appears to be living by the premise that by breaking stereotypes, tomorrow’s leaders can be built.  She shares a message of self-definition and embracing one’s uniqueness with the good people of the Commonwealth this year, and we tip our crown to Tara. 

Wheeler is also the founder of “Positive Role Models Building Powerful Women”.  Pos-Pow builds self-esteem and leadership skills in young women.  So much so, Wheeler was invited to represent her organization at the United Nations World Headquarters in New York City for its upcoming launch of the Redlight Children Campaign (against child sexploitation). 

Wheeler’s former work as a residential counselor at Joe Gibb’s Youth for Tomorrow group home and her motivational speaking for Monster’s Making it Count program well prepared her to speak to over 20,000 children in six states and the District of Colombia.  In addition to her service as Miss Virginia, Wheeler will be promoting the Children’s Miracle Network and “Right Decisions Right Now” campaign. 

She recently appeared at the Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open (Driving Ability and Access) at the Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria Virginia.

Tara Wheeler, Miss Virginia 2008