Miss Virginia 2013, Desiree Williams
Hampton University Graduate Student and Former Miss HU, Desiree Williams, was crowned Miss Virginia Sat., June 29. The contest was in Roanoke, Va. Williams was runner up in the competition last year, and has earned several pageantry titles including Miss National Sweetheart, Miss Peninsula and Miss Arlington.
With her latest gain, Williams receives a $17,500 scholarship and a spot in the 2014 Miss America competition. The victory is overwhelming, Williams said.
“It is such an honor to have been selected to serve Virginia in this way,” Williams said. “I respect all the women who competed, and am excited about the ways this title will position me to help others.”
Dr. Shelia Maye, executive director of the Miss HU Scholarship Pageant, said she isn’t surprised at Williams’ successes.
“Desiree has been a standout from the beginning. She is the type of person who is disciplined and trains hard for anything in which she’s involved, academics or otherwise,” Maye said. “We appreciate her achievements, as well as her beauty. The Hampton University community is extremely proud of her being crowned Miss Virginia.”
Williams, 24, earned her undergraduate degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from HU in 2011, and is now in her second year of the University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She served as Miss HU 2010-2011, and in the latter year was featured in Ebony magazine as one of 10 Historically Black College or University (HBCU) Campus Queens.
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Media Contact: Leha Byrd, University Relations, 757.727.5255, leha.byrd@hamptonu.edu