Pageantry takes some their entire lives to train and become pageant queens, but junior Civita Hooper is a natural. Hooper has competed in pageants since she was thirteen years old, about four years now, and holds the title of Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2022.

When asked about how it felt winning her title, Hooper answered, “Honestly, very unexpected. I was super surprised with myself and excited to represent West Virginia and the Miss America organization.”

Hooper also goes through a lot of preparation to compete in pageants, which includes working with multiple coaches.

“Interview was definitely the hardest for me because I’m very shy so it’s nice to know how to communicate effectively.”

Hooper said. “I’ve worked with my interview coach for two years now so she knows how to make me feel comfortable.”

Although being in competition, Hooper was quick to talk positively about the girls she competed with. She mentioned the immense support she was given by other competitors when winning her title. 

She stated that her favorite part of the competition was, “Definitely getting to meet all the girls. They counted the District of Columbia as a state so I got to meet fifty other girls.”

When asked about the actual competition, Hooper answered that competing was, “very difficult. There are so many talented girls there and it’s a talent based competition.”

Hooper competed with a lyrical contemporary dance, and talked positively of Ms. Washington’s Latin opera singing, who won the title of Ms. America’s Outstanding Teen.

Along with her busy pageant schedule, Hooper also keeps a busy schedule in her personal life. She attends dance classes twice a week, cheers everyday after school, and also makes title appearances at local schools, so far appearing at Steenrod and Woodsdale. She hopes to make more title appearances in the future.

At just a junior in high school, Hooper is sure to have a bright future ahead of her, both on and off the pageant stage.