WILLIAMSBURG— In addition to earning her diploma, recent Warhill High School graduate Cassidy Lee has earned another achievement: being crowned the 2024 Miss Virginia Teen.
Lee was first exposed to pageants after Camille Schrier, a former Miss Virginia who went on to win Miss America, made an appearance at her dance studio in 2017. Lee remembers taking photos with her crown and sash and fell in love with the idea of representing her home one day.
Competing all across the state, Lee held the title of Miss Commonwealth in 2022 and Miss Arlington Teen in 2023. After twice competing at the state pageant and placing in the top 10 both times, Lee was at a crossroads and wasn’t sure of her pageant future.
“After placing in the top 10 in 2023, I thought my pageant career would take a stop for a little bit. I had just finished my junior year of high school and I knew that I was going out of state for college. I thought, ‘I can’t be Miss Virginia’s Teen if I’m somewhere else,’ so I was set on taking a break,” Lee explained.
Ultimately deciding to give it one more try, Lee competed at the Miss Hampton-Newport News Teen pageant in 2024, winning the regional title. She once again found herself preparing for another run at the Miss Virginia Teen pageant.
From dress fittings, wardrobe procurement, filling out paperwork, mock interviews, writing essays, filling out fact sheets, and rehearsing her talent performance, Lee had a jam-packed schedule leading up to the Miss Virginia Teen pageant.
“Sometimes, it can really get overwhelming but at the end of the day, it is the most rewarding experience. Every time I would say, ‘I’d have to do a mock interview,’ I’d change my mindset to say, ‘I get to do a mock interview.’ I am so fortunate to hold these titles and working towards a goal has never been seen as a chore for me, it’s always been seen as a privilege. I’m so blessed to have these opportunities and work towards something I love. I really enjoyed every single minute of the prep,” Lee said.
As with all pageants, Lee had to select a community service initiative project platform. A dancer at the Academy of Dance and Gymnastics, Lee had participated in many benefit shows throughout her years on the stage. One show that the Academy hosts each year supports Operation Smile.
“Operation Smile is a global nonprofit that travels around the world to third world countries and provides individuals born with cleft conditions free and life-changing surgery, along with other incredible elements of care,” Lee said. “I remember seeing an infomercial video before one of our benefit performances and saying to myself, ‘wow these kids are my age and they don’t have access to so many things that we have here in America.’ I knew from that moment that being involved with it was something I was truly called to do,” Lee shared.
During the week-long pageant, held in Roanoke, Lee competed against other regional titleholders. As the competition approached the final evening, Lee recalled her excitement of making the top five.
“There were so many emotions that I was feeling throughout the week, from gratitude to excitement to nerves, and when I got called into the top five, I was so excited. My name was the last one called into the top five. When they called my name, I fell to the floor and was in tears. Right away, we were taken to the top of the stage where we had to participate in an on-stage question. I was just so proud of my answer and said, ‘even if I don’t walk away with the crown, I’m so proud of my performance and I truly couldn’t have done any better,'” Lee recalls.
Lee was in complete shock when the crown was placed on her head and the sash draped over her shoulder.
“I started to really break down in that moment. I realized that everything for the last three years was so incredibly worth it. My first thought, and I remember it so distinctively, was, ‘I’m going to Miss America’s Teen,’ which is something every little girl dreams of. It finally became real and to finally get this opportunity has been the biggest dream come true,” Lee said.
In August, Lee will head to the University of Alabama on a full scholarship thanks to winning the state crown. At Alabama, she plans to study journalism and news media with hopes of becoming a television news anchor.
As Miss Virginia Teen, Lee knows that all eyes are on her, especially those of young girls who hope to be in her shoes one day.
“This opportunity has changed my life in so many ways. It has provided me with ways to get involved in my community and further my passion for service. It’s provided me with a sisterhood and friendships that will last a lifetime. It’s also given me so many skills in communication, networking, time management. I truly just want to encourage every single girl out there to get involved because it will change your life in the best possible way,” Lee said.
The competition to crown Miss America’s Teen will take place in January 2025 in Orlando, Florida, and Lee is already counting down the days.
“I am so honored to wear Virginia across my chest on the national stage. I have lived in Virginia for 12 years now, and to get to represent the state and the organization that molded me into the young woman I am today is the most incredible honor. I am so excited to meet all the other contestants because sisterhood is one of the most incredible aspects of the Miss America organization and I just gained 51 new best friends.”