Candidates competing for the title of Miss Virginia 2022 are one step closer to the final night of competition.
The 18 candidates vying for the title competed in preliminary competitions on Thursday and Friday at the Berglund Center in Roanoke.
ABC13's very own Ava Braatz, co-host of Living in the heart of Virginia, is competing this week.
"There is just such an encouraging atmosphere, no matter what element that you are competing in that night. Everyone is just rooting for you and it's a really special time," Braatz said.
She is Miss Dominion 2022. She said it has been a life-changing experience.
"It's been an amazing experience, I get a little choked up thinking about it, but I think if you've never done a pageant, just try it. It is so much fun. It'll teach you life lessons for years to come," Braatz said.
Braatz competed in the talent competition on Friday. She said she performed a monologue about the stages of beauty that women go through.
"I imagine a lot of women will resonate with it," Braatz said.
On Thursday, she competed in the on-stage question/social impact initiative competition. Braatz said she's been excited this week to spread the word about her pro-life platform. Braatz said her mother's birth story inspires the mission of her platform. She said her mother was conceived in rape.
"Her life has value, and so I want to be a representation, that if she was aborted, I wouldn't even be standing here talking with you today," Braatz said. "So, I am not just pro-birth, though, I am the pro-entire life. So, if a woman is unable to mother a child, that's okay, let's carry the baby to term. Let's connect you with foster families and get them into homes that they love for them and they care for them. So, I'm pro-woman all the way."
She said no matter the outcome on Saturday night, this has been an incredible experience.
"I'm beyond thrilled, whether I come out with a crown, a preliminary award, anything at all, this experience has been once in a lifetime," Ava said.