Carlehr Swanson, 2024 Miss Virginia, had an important lesson for the students at Harold Ratcliffe Elementary School's Black History Month assembly Thursday: Don't give up. Swanson talked about the importance of perseverance, for icons of Black history and for the Ratcliffe students as they pursue their dreams.
A product of Highland Springs High School and Fairfield Middle School, Swanson told the crowd that it took her 10 years and six tries to win the crown.
"Even though I yearned to showcase my talent on a big stage, I was shy," she told the students. "Just like those who came before me, I just kept going, even on the days I thought I would never win a pageant. I realized along the way that pageants were bigger than [performing]. I saw young women making a difference in their communities. Somewhere along the way I was no longer shy and could share my thoughts in front of others, and better yet, I believed I could make a difference in my community."
Swanson, a University of Virginia doctoral candidate in critical and comparative music studies, played keyboard and sang three songs. Students sang along, snapped their fingers and provided backing vocals.
The assembly also featured student dances and songs, a poetry reading and students dressed as important historical figures like Harriet Tubman, Oprah Winfrey and astronaut Mae Jemison.
At Highland Springs, Swanson played snare drum in the school's marching band, and that experience also taught her about perseverance.
"We practiced all summer in the hot sun and every day after school. It wasn't easy and sometimes I did not like it. But no matter how much I didn't like it, my mom would not let me quit. Maybe she knew how important a lesson like never quitting had benefitted those in the past and would ultimately benefit future Carlehr."
Since winning the title, she has been touring the commonwealth, talking with students. Ratcliffe was her 60th school visit in a 72-school tour.
"[Being at Ratcliffe] means so much to me. I'm from this community and it has given so much to me. It's a chance to be able to celebrate the rich legacy of Black History Month and also to share my dreams — the difficulty of getting to this moment as Miss Virginia. I want to tell the students: just keep trying and you can accomplish your goals."