Miss Virginia Competition delegates to learn life-saving skill of CPR
ROANOKE, Va., June 10, 2026 — When you think of the Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia’s Teen competitions, you normally think of the passion, excitement and glamour these events produce. However, this year the delegates are adding another level of intrigue to the events — learning to save a life! All 54 Miss and Teen delegates will learn the life-saving skill of CPR as part of their special week.
“We are incredibly excited to work with such prestigious events as the Miss Virginia and Miss Virginia’s Teen pageants,” said Christie Steele-Garcia, development director for the American Heart Association in Roanoke. “By learning this critical skill, each contestant shows a genuine dedication to the health and safety of their communities. We are proud to join Carilion Clinic to bring CPR demonstrations to these dedicated young women.”
This special training coincides with the 2026 Miss Virginia competition week and will take place in the Pocahontas Room of the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center on Tuesday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. for the Miss Virginia delegates and at 3:00 p.m. for the Miss Virginia’s Teen delegates.
“Since heart disease is the number one cause of death for women, this is a cause that’s very near and dear to our hearts,” said Mark Schreier, co-executive director for Miss Virginia Opportunity, Inc. “Education is the best form of prevention. Our titleholders are learning very important life-changing skills by volunteering for the American Heart Association, raising money for research and learning CPR skills, too. We’re proud to be part of this important mission that has such a direct impact on so many people.”
The demonstrations will be led by an all-female team of trainers from Carilion Clinic using the American Heart Association’s resuscitation quality improvement (RQI) carts. These special carts deliver high-quality CPR training that leads to better patient outcomes.
“It's not just knowing how to do CPR that is important, it's having the confidence to step in and deliver compressions when needed,” said Jacqueline DeMarco, Ed.D., director, HR Education and Organizational Development for Carilion Clinic. “Carilion’s collaboration with the American Heart Association’s RQI program brings high-quality technology designed to build learners’ skills and confidence with CPR.”
The Go Red for Women® movement is being supported by Miss America’s Scholarship Foundation to empower the next generation of women to take charge of their health and make a lasting impact on communities nationwide, activating around three pillars: promoting awareness of CVD as the No. 1 killer of women; educating and empowering Miss America’s participants at all levels; and raising critical funds to support equitable research and treatment. As voices and role models, these contestants encourage heart-healthy behaviors and, through service, advocacy and fundraising, share the message and mission of Go Red for Women to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease.
According to the Association, each year more than 350,000 people in the U.S. have an EMS-assessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Not only this, but by performing bystander CPR a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest can double or triple.
To learn more about CPR, visit www.cpr.heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Kevin Pauley, kevin.pauley@heart.org
Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
