Pamplin's Garrett relishes role of Miss Virginia

By STEPHANIE A. JAMES

Staff Writer

Three hours of sleep one day, television interviews the next, and a whirlwind of activities has been a part of the life of Pamplin native Courtney Garrett as she prepares full speed for the Miss America competition coming up in two months.

Garrett, the newly crowned Miss Virginia, has a very full schedule that keeps her busy.

Garrett now spends her days making appearances for her platform Defying Disabilities.

“I am going to try to make as many appearances as possible,” said Garrett during a phone interview on Monday. “That is why I do what I do.”

This week, she will engage in sponsor visits, complete Miss America pageant contract paperwork, and engage in other activities in preparation for one of the nation’s most viewed beauty competitions.

Garrett, who has been competing in pageants since she was a small child, was crowned Miss Virginia on June 28.

When she was among the two finalists in the pageant, Garrett said that she had a thought come across her mind that she could win the title of Miss Virginia.

When her name was called and she did win the Miss Virginia title, the 21-year-old said that she was surprised.

“I was in utter shock. I worked my whole life for this. This has been a dream for so many other girls,” said Garrett. “You dream about it.”

Garrett recalled crying in that moment when found out that she won the title.

The daughter of Jeanine and Steve Garrett, the state’s lead beauty titleholder, had the support of various family members at the Miss Virginia pageant, which was held at the Roanoke Convention Center.

Not only Garrett’s reaction was monumental, her family’s reaction was monumental as well.

Garrett recalled that her family including her grandmother, uncles and aunts could not wait to get up on stage to give her a celebratory hug.

“My dad was crying. My mom was crying. It was just tears of joy,” Garrett said. “My family was so anxious to come up. They were all crying and hugging each other.”

That was the night of June 28.

What followed the next day and days after was the fast track to a busy schedule that included interviews and meeting new people around the state.

Along the way, Garrett has received many perks so far such as a GPS and many other gifts.

The Miss America competition is fast approaching and Garrett is getting prepared for that. This year’s Miss America competition will be held in Atlantic City in New Jersey in early September.

Starting last year the Miss America competitions started to be held in September as opposed to January, which poses as a challenge for contestants. Garrett said that means that contestants for the competition have about two months to prepare as opposed to six.

Due to the limited preparation time, in April contestants for the Miss Virginia contestants were told to prepare for the state competition as if they will compete the Miss America title.

Garrett is preparing the best way she can.

“You get to go to Miss America one time. You have to give it your best shot,” Garrett said.

The 2014 Liberty University graduate said that she has been to the Miss America competition before as a spectator to support her predecessor Desiree Williams.

“I have a little idea of what to expect,” said Garrett.

Being Miss Virginia, Garrett said, gives her an opportunity to increase awareness of her platform, Defying Deformities. She stated that she was inspired to lead this platform because her brother, Austin, has cerebral palsy.

Garrett has come a long way from when she started pageants at the ripe age of three.

Years ago, Garrett’s parents, who are her biggest cheerleaders made sacrifices for her, encouraged her to enter into pageants.

Two years ago, Garrett held the title of Miss Arlington and was able to compete in the Miss Virginia pageant, where she place third runner up. As third runner up, she received a $2,500 scholarship toward her education at Liberty University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications with a specialization in public relations and advertising. She is currently working on her second degree in music with a specialization in vocal performance.

Other than the Miss Virginia Pageant, Garrett’s most recent successes include being involved in teen pageants.

In 2009, she was crown Miss Virginia’s Miss Outstanding Teen and she subsequently went on to become Miss Lynchburg in 2010.