Meet Virginia

Getting To Know ... Tara Wheeler, Miss Virginia
By David Schultz/The Connection

FIRST she was Miss Arlington. Then she was Miss Virginia. Now, Tara Wheeler is trying to become Miss America. Late last month, Wheeler won the Miss Virginia pageant, earning the right to compete in the storied Miss America competition.

In an interview with the Arlington Connection, Wheeler talked about her diverse interests, her route to pageant success and how pageant contestants are perceived in the media.

What did it feel like to be named Miss Virginia?

I really felt like I did the abolute best I could and if it didn’t happen for me then it just wasn’t my time. I was really calm leading up to it but then when they called my name you have this moment of disbelief. Then I saw the first runner-up walk away and I thought “Ok, it’s really me. I’m Miss Virginia.” Then I started crying like a fool.

Did you feel like you had put in a really strong performance? Did you think you were going to win?

I never came into it thinking, “Ok, I’ve got this. I’m gonna win.” I came in believing that I could win and believing that I could do the job well. I honestly believe that I was the best for the job and that if you don’t go into everything you do believing that you can be successful, than it’s a waste of time.

How were you chosen as Miss Arlington?

With every Miss America local and state competition, you’re judged on the same thing. I came in there and you have the on-stage stuff which is evening gown, swimsuit, talent and on-stage questions. With the swimsuit [competition], they’re not looking for the skinniest girl with curves in all the right places. They’re looking for someone who takes care of themselves and is physically fit and is confident with who they are. If you show that sort of devotion at the gym, you’ll probably carry that over to other aspects of your life. That’s why swimsuit will always be an important part of the Miss America pageant. For the evening gown, I wore a gown that was given to me. They’re not necessarily looking for the super-expensive gowns. For talent, it can be anything. I’ve seen a girl break a board with her head in a karate demonstration. Every girl’s talent is unique. I happen to sing, which is kind of boring. I sang “At Last” by Etta James.

How did you get involved in pageantry? How long have you been doing this for?

I’ve been doing this for about three years. I grew up kind of as a tomboy. I did a lot of tomboy things. I grew up playing hockey since the third grade. I got to try out for the women’s Olympic team. I was a cadet in the Air Force so I went through boot camp. I did this all before I decided to try to do pageants. A lot of girls have been doing this al their lives.

What did you do to prepare for the Miss Virginia competition?

I did a lot of mock interviews and I had a sponsorship from Curves gym and I had a personal trainer in Alexandria. Aside from that, the best way to get ready is to work on your community service pageant. As a title-holder you’re a spokesperson for the organization. By getting out there in the community that was the best way that I prepared. I prepared as if I were Miss Virginia and that’s how hard I worked.

Are you excited about competing in the Miss America pageant?

I’m really excited. They say that you’re more likely to have a son in the Super Bowl than have a daughter grace the Miss America stage. So that in itself is quite an honor. I’m excited but at the same time I’m a little nervous. You only get one shot at it. But this year they’re doing a reality show and sometimes that makes me a little nervous. I know how easy it is to edit things and just the lack of control over how you’re portrayed. I did the boot camp thing and the hockey thing and I just don’t want to be made into a gimmick. That’s the thing that I’m a little nervous about. But, overall, I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to representing Virginia the best I can.

Have you seen any of the reality shows that are based on people who compete in pageants? What do you think of those?

They’re disappointing. The media likes to grab onto things that reinforce negative stereotypes. Honestly, there are a few girls in pageants, as there are in any activity, that typify the negative stereotypes. But those girls are few and far between. We’re doing so many great things. I was invited to the United Nations but that would never be put in a reality show because it’s not catty or negative. So it’s disappointing that that’s the kind of attention that pageants get. But I’m hoping that, because I’m a different kind of contestant, that hopefully I can get some positive attention because I’m so different.

What will be the first thing you will do if you are crowned Miss America?

I have no idea. I’ll probably cry like a bigger fool than I did when I won Miss Virginia. If I won, I would just be incredibly honored. If I was Miss America, I would be put in a position where I would have a lot of influence and I don’t want to take that for granted.