YORKTOWN — Annie Mowery works as an archeologist by day but has since donned a new hat — or crown — recently winning the title Miss Virginia Volunteer 2024.
After competing in the Miss Pennsylvania circuit, Mowery began studying at James Madison University. Still having the itch to compete in pageants, she explored her options within the Virginia circuit.
The Miss Virginia Volunteer pageant combines interview, talent, evening gown, fitness and wellness, and onstage question categories to determine its winner. The first Miss Virginia Volunteer was crowned in 2022, and Mowery succeeds 2023 Miss Virginia Volunteer Kate Clatterbuck.
During pageant weekend, Mowery said she felt calm, cool, and collected. After being runner-up in the 2022 competition, she went into the weekend with no expectations.
“I had this overwhelming sense of calm going into finals on Saturday night. I had this feeling that I was going to be in the top four. Not because I thought I was better than anyone else, because pageants are all about a competition against yourself. I just knew that everything was going to work out the way it was meant to. As they were calling out the runner-up spots, I had the same feeling that I had in 2022, which was ‘okay, I’m going to be fourth runner-up, okay, I’m going to be third runner-up, okay I’m going to be second runner-up’, I had no expectations throughout the entire experience,” Mowery said.
When her name was called, Mowery was in complete shock.
“It was a moment where everything just went silent for me. I knew that the place was really loud. Everything felt so quiet and still. It’s a really surreal experience. It was a really special moment for me,” Mowery said.
As Mowery takes on her titleholder duties for the year, she is excited about growing her platform: “Our Story: History for Our Future.” The program focuses on making history more accessible by writing new interpretive material for historical sites, teaching students about archaeology, and bringing people closer to their personal and local history.
“I started volunteering at historic sites when I was eight years old. I really grew up in the environment of preservation and storytelling through history. There is a huge difference in the way I was being taught history at the sites that I was volunteering at and working at versus how I was being taught in school. For me, my platform is really focused on teaching history as accurately as possible,” Mowery said.
Mowery’s year as Miss Virginia Volunteer will include speaking engagements, attending events, school tours, and also a train tour around the state.
Mowery knows the importance of being a role model for young girls, both on and off the pageant circuit. It is constantly in the back of her mind that young girls are watching her actions.
“I grew up watching Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe and I always thought that I could never be one of those girls on that stage. Now, that I am going to be one of those girls on that stage, it’s a really special feeling for me. I want those young girls who watch to remember how important it is to embrace themselves for who they are. In today’s society, with so many opinions on what we should look like and how we should act, the best thing that you can be is to be yourself, and nobody can be a better you than you can,” Mowery said.
For Mowery, breaking the stigma of pageant queens is on the forefront of her mind.
“It’s a huge part of what I do. It’s a little unfortunate that the stigma exists. I’ve been able to gain so many life skills from doing pageants. The people that I’ve met through doing pageantry are some of the most intelligent women I’ve ever met in my life. I know that when you are in a pageant, it is this amazing sisterhood of these women who are so smart and incredibly talented,” Mowery said.
The Yorktown resident will go on to represent Virginia at the national Miss Volunteer America pageant in June 2024 in Jackson, Tennessee.
“Nationals prep will begin around January 2024. The national pageant is really intimidating, and while I am a little scared, I’m really excited and beyond grateful to represent Virginia,” Mowery said.
To follow Mowery on her Miss Virginia Volunteer journey, follow her Instagram @missvavol.
