Miss Virginia educates elementary school students about the risks of alcohol and other drug use. The tour is funded by a $17,500 ABC grant and features several program options for elementary schools across the state which can participate in person or virtually.
“Virginia ABC and Miss Virginia have a long history of working together to educate Virginia’s youth about the importance of making healthy choices,” Virginia ABC CEO Dale Farino said. “We’re excited for Carlehr’s Miss Virginia tour and continuing this successful partnership.”
During her visit, Miss Virginia provides the foundation and encouragement for young students to understand healthy choices and be aware of the harm of substance abuse. The Miss Virginia School Tour messaging aligns with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) of Advocacy and Health Promotion, Essential Health Concepts and Healthy Decisions focusing on substance use prevention as outlined in the SOLs. In accordance with the standards, two versions of the presentation based on grade level (Kindergarten-1st grade and 2nd-5th grade) are available.
Each student who participates in the program receives a copy of Virginia ABC’s educational Health and Safety Activity Workbook. Teachers and caregivers can build powerful connections by completing the workbook with a child. Workbooks will be shipped to each school prior to a scheduled visit.
Through the Miss Virginia School Tour, students will:
- learn what positive choices are and how to make them, including how to say “no” when something is not healthy for their bodies;
- learn what it means to be a leader in their community and among their friends; and
- be able to identify who is a trusted adult and understand the role they play in their lives.
A third-year PhD student at UVA in critical and comparative studies in music, Swanson started an outreach program, “Music is Unity,” as an eighth grader that sparked her lifelong dedication to sharing music’s healing power. The program has evolved into a full-service arts organization that offers free performances in nursing homes and schools.
“Substance use prevention efforts begin in Virginia’s elementary schools,” said Swanson. “Throughout the tour, I hope to show Virginia’s youth how positive choices can set them up for success.”
Since 1953, the Miss Virginia Pageant has provided a platform for young women to advocate for causes and issues important to them. Virginia ABC has a long-standing partnership with Miss Virginia Opportunity. Last year’s Miss Virginia, Katie Rose, visited 64 elementary schools and reached 18,105 students by promoting healthy decision making and leadership through the Miss Virginia School Tour Program.
“Virginia ABC and the Miss Virginia Opportunity have collaborated to meet students where they are with age-appropriate information about drugs and alcohol to protect them from dangerous behaviors as they grow older,” said Virginia ABC Community Health and Engagement Director Katie Crumble. “This early communication sets the stage for a lifetime of promoting health and safety.”
The Virginia ABC Community Health and Engagement Division strengthens the capacity of communities across Virginia by providing data, research, evidence-based programming strategic resources and genuine partnership.
Schools interested in scheduling a Miss Virginia presentation may request a school tour stop by going online.
The division also provides free educational publications which can be ordered online.
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Rebecca Barnabi
