By Jessica Wilt, The Journal
MARTINSBURG, W.Va — Standing on the stage at Airborne Church over the weekend, among an impressive group of contestants, Olivia Travis’ hard work and dedication paid off, her lifelong friends screaming from the audience as the crown was placed on her head as she was named West Virginia Miss Outstanding Teen.
“That’s part of the reason why I’m so happy it was held in the Eastern Panhandle, because all of my friends were able to come,” Travis said, the excitement clear in her voice. “Every single one of those girls who were in the audience that night, we’ve been friends since we were 3 and 4 years old. We went to preschool together. We’ve grown up together. They are truly the sisters I’ve never had. We actually had a group chat called ‘Sisters.’ It was awesome to have them there that night, and it really pumped me up and kept me going all night. I know they were so proud of me, and that made me so happy to make them proud and have them there.”
It was a moment Travis had been dreaming about since she was 6 years old, when she first competed in the Buckhannon Strawberry Festival pageant, winning that first title. She competed over the weekend as Berkeley County Miss Outstanding Teen, a title she held with dedication and grace, qualities she will take with her as the state’s queen…
