Pittsylvania County girl brings home Talented Teen crown

The Miss Black Virginia USA 2009 competition culminated Saturday at the North Theatre with the crowning of Crystal Bailey, who entered the contest as Miss Black Williamsburg. She will compete in the national competition for the title Miss Black USA.

She was crowned by the 2008 winner, Bridgette White, of Altavista.

Bailey said she plans to use her reign to promote the arts in education.

“I’ll be teaming with Virginians for the Arts, and working with legislators to get more funding for art education,” Bailey said.

Jessica Griffith, host of the competition, said she decided to work with the competition because it focused on much more than the appearance of the competitors.

“This pageant stresses education, being positive and family,” Griffeth said.

The winner of the pageant received a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by the Miss Black Virginia USA organization.

The competition included a Talented Teen Division for the first time, which was won by Shanice Fuller of Pittsylvania County.

Fuller won a $1,000 scholarship, sponsored by Junice Albert Medley and Margaret D. Medley Lanier, of Dry Fork.

White said Friday that her year as Miss Black Virginia USA was a busy one. She has accepted a position with the Virginia Center for Behavioral Rehabilitations in Farmville, and hopes to continue her education in the field of psychology (she holds a Bachelors Degree in psychology from Virginia State University).

She isn’t discounting the possibility of entering other pageants.

“I’m thinking of the Miss America circuit,” White said Friday.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.