Community Corner

Shenandoah University Senior Takes Home Miss Northern Virginia Crown

Amber Patton of Woodstock wowed judges with her poise, stage presence and vocal performance.

Amber Patton of Woodstock may walk a little taller with a tiara atop her head now.

Patton, a senior at Shenandoah University, is the new Miss Northern Virginia. The pageant was held at J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church on Saturday night.

Patton, who is studying business administration and sang Journey's "Open Arms" during the talent competition, will compete at the Miss Virginia pageant in Roanoke this summer. The winner of that pageant will represent Virginia in a bid for the Miss America crown in early 2012.

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Stephanie Szkalak won the Miss Northern Virginia Outstanding Teen crown, a competition for younger pageant contestants. Jennifer Riebling of Vienna, a freshman at Madison High School, was the first runner-up in that age division.

"I think pageants are a lot of fun," Riebling said before the results were announced on Saturday. "I feel prepared and I hope the jduges see my true personality."

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