Lynchburg, Virginia Junior Miss prepares for national competition

By Lily Voth
Published: June 18, 2008

Editor’s note: This spring, Lily Voth — daughter of Michael and Sallie Voth of Lynchburg — won the Greater Lynchburg Junior Miss competition, then went on to take the state title. That qualified Voth to compete at the national level, with the finals scheduled for June 28.
The Virginia Episcopal School graduate, who will attend the College of Charleston, left Monday for the nationals, which take place in Mobile, Ala. We asked her for her thoughts as she prepared to leave and for an update later from Mobile as the competition nears. Here’s her first installment.

“Please shut, please shut!” Exasperated after begging my suitcase to surrender and close, I took a seat on my bright floral comforter, glancing around the room at all the stuff that had yet to be put in a suitcase.

I cannot believe that it is the night before I embark on the adventure I have been so avidly preparing for: the America’s Junior Miss program in Mobile, Ala. Being chosen in October as one of the three winners from the local program, Greater Lynchburg’s Junior Miss, allowed me to make two new best friends and meet so many wonderful people from the area. It also gave me great preparation for the state program.

The people involved with the local program became like family to me. They urged me to practice my pushups, listen to the news and learn a new dance. My dance teacher and I would meet at the studio at 11 o’clock at night to run through the dance a few times. It is hard to find people who are that dedicated to your success, but Junior Miss has showed me that it is not impossible.

By the time February rolled around I was as ready as I was going to be. The state program was held in Salem, and with a smaller program than usual, we contestants became extremely close. I met eight beautiful, driven and sweet girls, who made the week away from home much easier. It was a tough week physically and emotionally, but the great thing about the Junior Miss program is that there is always someone there to give you a hug, whether it is a backstage mom, a past Junior Miss, the host or one of the other contestants.

Winning at the state level was such an honor. I only become prouder everyday to be from Virginia, and I will do my best to represent the state well at the national competition.

Preparing for nationals has been draining at times. All of the late-night dance rehearsals and interview drills were tiring occasionally, but definitely worth it. I was thankful for my lifelong dance background when the fitness routine arrived in the mail. Jazzercise asked that the contestants learn the seven-minute routine before getting to Mobile. Yikes! But, as many say, practice makes perfect, or at least it makes you know what you’re doing a little better!

Junior Miss has become a huge part of my life. Beginning preparations for the local program almost a year ago, I never expected to be attending the national competition as a contestant. I have learned so much more than dances and fitness routines; I have learned that when you put emphasis on all the right things as the program does, such as scholastics, awareness, physical fitness, talents and self confidence, you only grow and become a better version of yourself. You become your best self.

The 51st America’s Junior Miss National Finals airs at 7 p.m. June 28, on http://www.NBC15online.com.