Whiz Kids: Sisters Are Finalists In National American Miss Virginia Pageant

Know a child who goes above and beyond to help those in need? How about a student who's constantly setting the bar higher day by day? Or maybe a young person who has endured an amazing journey already in life?

Vienna Patch will feature students, sports teams, school club members, and any other outstanding young person for a weekly feature, Whiz Kids.

This week:

Two sisters from Vienna are finalists in their age divisions for  the National American Miss Virginia pageant, which will be held July 28 to 30 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston.

Regina and Rebecca Honigford, 7 and 5 years old, respectively will compete in the pageant, which is open to girls ages 4 to 18, divided into five different age divisions. 

The pageant is unlike some others for this age group, organizers say: Girls younger than 12 years old do not wear makeup. There is also no swimsuit competition.

"Emphasis is put on the importance of developing self confidence, learning good sportsmanship, as well as setting and achieving personal goals. The Pageant recognizes the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set goals for her future," organizers say.

Whiz Kid's Name:  Regina V. Honigford
Whiz Kid's Age:     7
Whiz Kid's School:  Our Lady of Good Counsel
Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Chosen as a State Finalist in the Miss Virginia Jr. Pre-Teen age division (ages 7-9) in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant.
Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:  Regina uses all she does and all that happens as a learning experience, her parents say. She likes ice skating, gymnastics, soccer and swimming and diving, along with Chess Club, Girl Scouts and making  sandwiches/collecting children’s books for the homeless and poor.

Whiz Kid's Name: Rebecca Honigford
Whiz Kid's Age: 5
Whiz Kid's School:  Faith Baptist Academy (Vienna, VA)
Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: State Finalist in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant, Miss Virginia Jr. Princess Division
Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Rebecca likes swimming, soccer, gymnastics and ice skating.  She also enjoys Girl Scouts, making sandwiches for the homeless/poor and cruising on “big huge” boats, her parents say. Rebecca says, "I just like to have fun!"

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We want to stress that this is not a competition. We will be featuring a Vienna Whiz Kid (or class or team) each week on Saturdays, so the more the merrier! Nominations should be submitted in the comment box right here or by e-mailing Editor Erica R. Hendry: erica.hendry@patch.com. Nominations should include:

●    Nominator's Name
●    Nominator's E-Mail
●    Whiz Kid's Name
●    Whiz Kid's Age
●    Whiz Kid's School
●    Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
●    Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)