Sharon Brown was feeling a little down one day when she noticed an advertisement for a beauty pageant. She entered the Miss Black World contest and was third runner-up. Then she entered the 2004 Virginia Galaxy Pageant; she was a runner-up for that contest as well.
Undaunted, she went on to enter the 2005 Virginia Galaxy Pageant and was surprised when they announced that she would be the next Miss Virginia Galaxy.
“I was surprised, excited and happy. There is no better feeling than when they put that crown on your head,” she said.
The Galaxy system has annual competitions in every state, crowning a Miss Teen Galaxy, Miss Galaxy and Mrs. Galaxy. The emphasis is on community service. Brown has been a volunteer for years, mentoring and tutoring children at Darryl Green’s Learning Center in Washington, D.C. and working with the Christian Hope Center Church in Woodbridge.
BROWN IS NOW halfway through her year as Miss Virginia Galaxy and is still very excited about it. Brown has attended events at many of the local schools, including Bucknell Elementary School’s Career Day that was held near the end of the year.
“I love to go to events,” Brown said. “I am excited when people call. I love working with kids,” said Brown, who also gives motivational talks to children.
Brown’s talents are acting and dancing, and she is currently starring in the role of “Mae” in Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre’s production of “Pajama Game” which runs through July 17.
She does some singing, and has been asked to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” for the opening of an athletic event.
As the winner of Miss Virginia Galaxy, she was automatically entered into the Galaxy 2006 Pageant. This is a national event that was held in Ohio last month. Brown did not win the title, but received the Overall Visibility award. She said that she may enter the Miss Galaxy pageant again next year, but that she is considering offers for different pageants. Unlike some of the contestants, she does not do pageants all year round. She also said that entering beauty pageants is not for everybody.
“I find that it’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work. You know quickly if it’s for you, or not for you,” she said.
Most of her dealings with the other contestants have been positive, and she said, “I have found the girls to be very enjoyable and have great sportsmanship.”
She credits her family, parents George and Mattie Brown, and brothers and sisters, Karen Brown, Angela Jordan, Julia Myers, George Brown and Jonathan Brown. She is also thankful for the many businesses that sponsor her.
“We are a close family; we all stick together,” she said.