Big Congratulations goes out to Allegro voice student Ella Strickland on her achievement through the 2018 Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen competition this past weekend.
The 2018 Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen competitions were held in Lynchburg, Virginia at Liberty University. The official crowning of the titles occurred on June 23rd. Ella is the current reigning Miss Greater Prince William County’s Outstanding Teen which allowed her to compete at the state level. This year she placed as 3rd runner-up to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Emily Kinsey, and received a $23,000 renewable scholarship to Hollins University, as well as Liberty University.
For her talent piece Ella and her Allegro voice instructor Randi Puckett chose La Vie En Rose, a French ballad.
“I fell in love with the French language while studying it in school, and with my voice teacher’s help, we chose my song,” Ella explained. “When I sang I felt no worry. I felt so confident in my performance because Randi and I had worked through it so much. When the red/pink lights shown down on me, it was as if nothing else mattered but that moment. I was so eager to begin, and when I did, I gave it all I had. I would look down at the judges, then up to the audience so that the light would catch my eyes. Also, to connect more so with the audience.”
She continued, “It was not only important to work on my voice, but to also practice how I’d engage with the observers and people watching through the livestream. Randi and I worked on my movements and expression as well as the music. A decent voice is ok, but the person behind it and the emotion and meaning that person is bringing to it is where the judges join in, in understanding the beauty of the music.”
Ella has studied voice with Randi since summer of 2017. She was part of the Allegro Community Players cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Spring 2018.
She was also a titleholder in the Miss America Organization where she placed first in talent and physical fitness and second runner-up at the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant and second-runner up at the Miss DC Scholarship Pageant.