Lauren Birkett, a second-year Nursing student and former first runner-up, recently assumed the title of Miss Charlottesville 2016.
After first hearing about the pageant through social media, Birkett felt inspired to compete because of the pageant’s positive impact on the Charlottesville community. When the previous winner had to step down after a few months, Birkett was excited to take her place as Miss Charlottesville.
"I wanted to become Miss Charlottesville because after being so close and after coming to Charlottesville so much, and now living in Charlottesville for college, Charlottesville was my home,” Birkett said. “I saw how the position gives so much back to community, and I've done various types of community service before, and I thought I could really broaden my horizons with Miss Charlottesville."
Birkett has been competing in pageants for seven years. Though she has always participated as a way to give back to the community, she enjoyed the process and experienced personal growth as competing has helped her find her passion.
"I've been pre-teen miss Madison, junior miss Madison, and several other types from surrounding counties … I loved being on stage and I loved meeting new girls,” Birkett said. “The interview process really helped with interviewing for jobs and finding what I wanted in life."
In the Miss Charlottesville 2016 pageant, Birkett expressed her passion for encouraging college education through her platform.
“I chose that because my mom has only an associate degree, and she taught me the importance of getting a college education because the world is changing and we are looking for more highly skilled people,” Birkett said. “I wanted to encourage others to go to college and follow their dreams.”
Birkett currently demonstrates her dedication to education as she purses her Bachelor’s in the Nursing School.
"I definitely want to practice nursing, then after a couple of years get my master’s, then practice as a nurse practitioner,” Birkett said. “Then I want to eventually get my Ph.D. so I can use my prior experience to help educate new nurses."
Along with her mom, Birkett was supported and inspired throughout the Miss Charlottesville pageant by a former winner.
"The previous Miss Charlottesville, Cassie Richards, was a great role model for me. I thought she was a great Miss Charlottesville … her year of service was so dedicated to the community,” Birkett said. “She helped me use my talents and platforms to do well in the Miss Charlottesville pageant."
Birkett and Richards first met while competing at the Miss Albemarle County Fair in July. After quickly becoming friends, Richards recognized Birkett’s potential to be a great Miss Charlottesville and encouraged her to participate in the pageant.
“From the moment I met Lauren I knew that she was a genuine, good-hearted person,” Richards said. “She wasn’t there just to win a sash and crown. She was passionate about her platform, volunteering within the community, and a great role model for today's youth.”
Birkett has already begun to serve the community in a variety of ways as she fulfills her duties as Miss Charlottesville.
"It's very community oriented. I've gone to a steak dinner for the junior league of Charlottesville, and all the money from the dinner went to the club so they can do service,” Birkett said. “We did a food drive, we're planning a coat drive and we're about to do a pageant … we also recently served Vietnam veterans."
Richards feels confident Birkett’s great start is just the beginning of an impactful year of service.
“When crowning a successor one can only hope that the new title holder will make the most out of their year,” Richards said. “There has not been one moment of doubt since crowning Lauren. Not only is she the definition of grace and beauty, but she has a caring soul and a kind heart. The Charlottesville community is lucky to have her as a representative.”
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