YORK COUNTY — Aryana Guest, a rising sophomore at Tabb High School, will soon head back to school with a crown and sash as she represents the state of Virginia as the reigning 2025 Miss Virginia Teen.
Guest, who has only been competing in pageants for two years, was crowned on June 29.
“I felt a huge amount of gratitude for everyone who has gotten me that far. My mom is my biggest supporter, and she poured so much time, energy, and money into me and into what I want to do with my future, not just with pageants but through dance. I was really thankful, and she was the first person I wanted to see as soon as I was done with my crowning moment,” Guest said.
In all pageants, Guest had to select an initiative that was important to her. After seeing the impact on her family when her baby sister was born prematurely, Guest has chosen to advocate for the importance of proper prenatal care; Tiny but Mighty.
“My little sister was born at 23 weeks during COVID. Just seeing what my family went through and seeing that experience, I wanted to be able to be that support system for other families going through the same exact situation that mine did. As Miss Virginia’s Teen, I’ve had the honor of talking with other families about their stories and I’ve been able to share it on my social media platforms,” Guest explained.
Guest is also passionate about physical and mental health.
“I always say that everybody is beautiful because no matter what you look like, you were made to stand out and you are just as beautiful as you can possibly be. I love being able to embrace that in other people. I’ve seen in my generation and all around me that people get insecure about themselves, but encouraging them to be themselves no matter what, make sure you’re confident with who you are, and it’s okay to have insecurities sometimes but you were made for a reason and you should just continue to embrace that,” Guest shared.
Ahead of the national competition in September, Guest has been practicing her talent and walks. At the national competition, she will perform a dance.
“One of my passions is using dance to tell a story. I will be performing a lyrical dance that I am dedicating specifically to my NICU parents who have shared their stories with me, but also for anyone who has gone through something they thought they weren’t strong enough to get through,” Guest explained.
For Guest, her experience so far as Miss Virginia’s Teen has been a game changer.
“Miss America has done incredible things for so many young women. I know for me, it has really boosted up my public speaking confidence. Usually, I hate speaking in front of large crowds, but being Miss Virginia’s Teen, I have to do that. When I go out and I talk with either students or a different audience, those things help me for the future when I have to go into job interviews,” Guest explained.
Guest will compete alongside the other state titleholders at the national competition Sept. 2-7 in Orlando. If she were to win, Guest said she wouldn’t believe it.
“I’d sit there every single day making sure that crown and sash are still in my crown box. I know that it has to be such a whirlwind of an experience, knowing that every single thing that you did leading up to Miss America paid off, I would just be so excited if I were to win. I know I would have an incredible year serving as Miss America’s Teen,” Guest shared.
To follow her journey, visit Instagram.com/missamericasteenva.