Miss Apple Blossom Festival

Madison Leigh VanDuyne

Hometown: Fincastle

Talent: Dance

Platform: Character counts -- assisting in development of ethical decision-making skills and reinforcement of positive character development

You probably don't know: VanDuyne led a Juice Drive program benefiting 321 service agencies in Virginia.

Miss Arlington

Tara Wheeler

Hometown: Woodbridge

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Breaking stereotypes, building leaders

You probably don't know: Wheeler completed officer boot camp in the top one-third of her flight class and was given the opportunity to fly a trainer jet.

Miss Central Virginia

Shannon Beam

Hometown: Winchester

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Underage drinking prevention

You probably don't know: Beam has received a brown belt in Tang Soo Do.

Miss Chesapeake

Stephanie Lee Van Petten

Hometown: Chesapeake

Talent: Dance

Platform: Eliminating peer pressure and improving self-esteem

You probably don't know: Van Petten has danced with three of the contestants from the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance."

Miss Chesterfield

Jessie Buckman

Hometown: Manakin Sabot

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Genocide awareness

You probably don't know: Buckman has sung opera in six different languages.

Miss Commonwealth

Laura Pennington

Hometown: Lynchburg

Talent: Dance

Platform: Domestic violence awareness and prevention

You probably don't know: Pennington is a former spelling bee champion.

Miss Fairfax

Kristena Wright

Hometown: Portsmouth

Talent: Dance

Platform: Embracing the arts in early childhood and secondary education

You probably don't know: Wright has modeled professionally, including in print publications, as a spokesmodel, at charity events, and on the runway.

Miss Greater Franklin County

Chinah Helmandollar

Hometown: Hardy

Talent: Song and dance

Platform: Serving Virginians with disabilities

You probably don't know: Helmandollar recorded a CD with Fyberglass, a four girl singing and dancing group she formed.

Miss Greater Richmond

Jordan Forbes

Hometown: Alexandria

Talent: Vocal

Talent: Dance

Platform: Character education through great books

You probably don't know: Morgan is currently compiling her own library of classical books.

Miss Lynchburg

Sarah Lee Fitzpatrick

Hometown: Lynchburg

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Enriching the lives of teenage girls

You probably don't know: Fitzpatrick performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the National Youth Chorale.

Miss Mountain Empire

Kimberly Paschall

Hometown: Virginia Beach

Talent: Dance

Platform: Fighting eating disorders

You probably don't know: Paschall danced at the United States Embassy in London on July 4, 2003.

Miss Norfolk

Ashley Christian Smith

Hometown: Chesapeake

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Breast cancer

You probably don't know: Smith is training to become a nationally certified aerobics instructor.

Miss Norfolk State University

Ashley Janay Thomas

Hometown: Richmond

Talent: Baton twirling

Platform: Ladies Opposing Violence Through Education

You probably don't know: Thomas enjoys community service, tutoring and modeling in her free time.

Miss Shenandoah Valley

Sonya Elizabeth Milstead

Hometown: Dayton

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Habitat for Humanity

You probably don't know: Milstead worked with the ABC series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" when it came to Blacksburg.

Miss Southeastern Virginia

Ciara Elaine Brown

Hometown: Chesapeake

Talent: Dance

Platform: Suicide awareness and prevention among the nation's youth

You probably don't know: Brown graduated from high school at 16.

Miss Virginia Beach

Shannon Marie Oliver

Hometown: Virginia Beach

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Hope for the future -- cultural togetherness

You probably don't know: Oliver can say all the states in alphabetical order in one breath.

Miss Williamsburg

Brittany Elizabeth Gordon

Hometown: Midlothian

Talent: Dance

Platform: Changing lives through the Corporation for National and Community Service

You probably don't know: Gordon was a Hurricane Katrina relief worker in Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans.

MISS VIRGINIA PAGEANT

When: Thursday - Saturday

Where: Roanoke Civic Center

Tickets: $25, Thursday ; $35, Friday ; $40, Saturday. Visit missva.com to order or call the ticket office at (540) 853-5483. Tickets can also be purchased through the civic center

Web site: roanokeciviccenter.com