By Abby Proch

Staff writer

WINDSOR — A former Isle of Wight County Fair Pageant winner has risen in ranks to achieve national acclaim.

Brittany Trump, the reigning Miss Junior Teen Virginia United States, placed fourth runner-up in the Miss Junior Teen United States national competition on July 5.

Trump, 15, of Windsor, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the national pageant where she made her way through interviews, a swimsuit round, an evening gown competition and on-stage questions to land in the top five.

“I’m very, very excited. I got to meet so many new people from almost every state,” said Trump.{mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

At nationals, she sailed through the top 16, then the top 10, and the final five, where she spoke on the topic of how technology affects children’s ability to talk with older generations.

“I was so scared. It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of waiting in the process,” she said, complimenting Miss Teen Virginia Alexis Ramsey for her backstage support.

Trump’s top five finish came as a surprise, but she believed her hard work would pay off.

Trump did “a lot of crunches and a lot of squats” to prepare for the swimsuit portion and found “the best gown I ever had” in Bristol.

However, she didn’t concentrate much time on readying herself for interviews.

“I feel like I don’t want to go into it being rehearsed,” she said, though she was caught off-guard by one question.

“One woman asked: What kind of tree would you be?”

Trump picked “The Tree of Life,” a 14-story “tree” engraved with more than 300 animal designs in the park’s Animal Kingdom.

Trump does have one area for improvement: her public speaking.

“I have to keep working at my public speaking. When I get in front of large group of people, I start to stutter.”

Now, as part of her everyday routine, she tries to be friendly and talk to people she doesn’t know.

Trump began her pageant life around age 8 when she first competed and won her category Isle of Wight County’s annual pageant.

She immediately moved up to the Miss Virginia organization for a chance at more exposure.

“My favorite part of competing is meeting all the new people I’ve never met before and making friendships for a lifetime.”

When not competing, the Windsor High junior and dancer at the Governors School of the Arts spends weekends volunteering as Jr. Miss Virginia and helps teach adaptive dance classes at S.T.R. Dance.

She is also an advocate for M.A.D.D., or Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Trump is the daughter of Mark and Susan Trump.

“They do so much for me. They’ve paid for me and been very supportive and loving throughout all my pageant experience.”

{/mprestriction}