Salem High School graduate Lauren-Ashleigh Christian was crowned as "Miss Tazewell County Fair." Photo courtesy of Suni Nichole Heflin

On July 28, 2012, nine young women competed at Tazewell Middle School for the crown of “Miss Tazewell County Fair” and “Miss Tazewell County Fairest of the Fair.” Master of ceremonies for the evening was Eric Greene, news anchor of WVVA. The nine contestants, eight from Tazewell County and one from Buchanan County, competed in High Fashion, Evening Gown, and On-Stage question.

Miss Lauren-Ashleigh Christian, daughter of Kimberly Christian, has been awarded the highest coveted title of “Miss Tazewell County Fair.” This was Miss Christian’s first teen pageant, and she scored 29.8 out of 30 in her on-stage question, leading her to win. Lauren-Ashleigh was sponsored for the event by Cheer Xpress Allstars, which she and her mother own and operate in Bluefield, Va.

Miss Christian is a former Salem, Va., resident and graduate of Salem High School and plans to attend college in Spring 2013 at Bluefield College where she will begin her basic studies and participate as a Ram cheerleader. Her goal is to double major in sports medicine and communications. Miss Christian would like to extend a special thank you to her mom and Rudy Miller, her coach, Chantel Greenfield, owner of Beautiful Faces Consulting and her friend, Ashley Greenfield, both of Blacksburg. Chantel Greenfield was in business only one month when her first client, Lauren-Ashleigh Christian was crowned. Ashley Greenfield holds the titles of Miss Teen Virginia United States 2011, Miss Teen United States 2011 and Miss Fredericksburg 2012. Miss Christian will be heading to Washington, D.C., to compete for the crown of Miss Arlington County, then to Miss Teen Virginia International in Bristol.

 With the support of Lemon’s Jewelry, contestants, their parents, and volunteers such as Pageant Director Norma McGuire, the Tazewell County Fair Association was able to award five Miss Contestants with college scholarships and cash prizes totaling $2,100. They are looking forward to seeing next year’s participants and hope to gain more support that will allow them to award larger scholarships to help these young ladies with their college education. Finally, Miss Christian would like to congratulate her fellow Queens, especially her Jr. Miss Tazewell County Fair Angel’Lina RaeAnna Rife of Hurley, Va.

– Submitted by Suni Nichole Heflin