Most people think pageants are for people trying to be someone they are not.  But the key to succeeding in a pageant is to just be yourself.  That is what Dorothy Cosner did, and she ended up becoming Miss Fluvanna and the Dogwood Queen for 2015.

“I just told myself over and over again to be myself and stay true to who I am,” Cosner said.  Cosner was encouraged to do the pageant by her friends and family, and she thought it would be a great way to help her community.

The Miss Fluvanna pageant is a relatively small pageant, meaning it only has four parts: casual wear, a private interview with the judges, evening wear, and one question in front of the audience.  “I was really nervous to be on a stage in front of so many people,” Cosner said.  “But that atmosphere was always fun, exciting, uplifting, and for lack of better words, just ‘awesome’,” she added.

Cosner’s next stop was the Dogwood Festival to see who would become Dogwood Queen.  Princesses from the surrounding eight counties travel (Fluvanna, Nelson, Buckingham, Albemarle, Louisa, Greene, Orange, and Madison), into Charlottesville for a week to see how the girls handle themselves in the community.  At the end of the week comes the Dogwood ball, where the judges choose the Dogwood Queen.  They choose the queen based on how well a girl represents her county, and on who they think will best represent the Dogwood Festival and the community.

Few people realize the responsibilities of being someone who has to represent their community, because it takes a big time commitment.  Some of Cosner’s responsibilities include going to other counties and being part of their parades, serving the community, and helping with the Dogwood Festival.

Now that Cosner is a symbol in the community, a lot of young people look up to her as a role model.  “Dorothy is smart and nice, so it will make others want to be nice,” Samantha Wagley, a senior at FCHS said.  She also has a knack for talking to kids and making them feel comfortable around her.  “She always tries to take the first step to talk to someone who might need help, she is great with kids, and she is always setting good examples,” Lisa Smith, a resident of Fluvanna County said.  Cosner wants to be a role model by showing them to not be afraid to be themselves.  “I see myself as a role model because I tried something different and had fun, and that is what I would like to see the young people in the community do ,” Cosner said.

Since winning the pageant and being crowned Dogwood Queen, Cosner’s life has changed.  “Both events have gotten me out of my comfort zone, and brought so  many opportunities into my life,” she said.  She has this advice for those considering trying out for the Miss Fluvanna pageant.  “Have fun, and most importantly, be yourself.”