MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two new women will be the face of Miss West Virginia and Miss West Virginia’s Teen following a week of activities culminating in the finals competition held Saturday in Martinsburg.
The new Miss West Virginia is Jennifer Reuther, who competed under the title of Miss Tri-State Area.
Reuther’s Community Service Initiative is “Wellness Across West Virginia.” She told MetroNews she plans to hit the ground running to spread that message across the state.
“I’m probably trying to make sure I’m not dreaming, but definitely planning my year and already have some fun things planned. I’m so excited to get started,” she said.
Reuther said the title means a lot to her.
“I am feeling absolutely blessed and just so thankful for this opportunity,” she said.
Newly crowned 2024 Miss West Virginia’s Teen Demi Breeden was still emotional minutes after winning the title.
“This means so much to me. I can’t stop crying. This is the best thing to ever happen,” Breeden said.
Breeden’s social impact initiative “Jack’s Journey” honors Ronald McDonald House Charities, which she said was incredibly helpful when a relative was ill.
Competing as Miss Morgantown’s teen, Breeden got the crowd fired up as she danced to a medley of “Country Roads” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Just after 8 p.m. Saturday dozens of hopefuls competing were whittled down to ten finalists in each division in front of a packed house at the Airborne Church Event Center.
The women then answered one question from a panel of judges, after which the top seven were announced. The fitness portion of the evening had the contestants in sportswear, working the stage to upbeat music.
Following that, the group was whittled to five finalists.
Before the final five in the Miss and Teen competed in the evening gown portion of the competition, the rest of those who had spent the week working through the preliminary phases of the contest were given their time to shine in the spotlight, dressed in their evening gowns.
After that, the five finalists in each division made their way around the stage and down the catwalk and each was asked a question by the evening’s host, Camille Schrier (Miss America 2020)
This year, there was representation at the competition from across the Mountain State.
The winners will compete in the upcoming Miss America/Miss America’s Teen competitions.