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HR242 • 2026

Commending the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant.

Commending the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant.

Agriculture Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Wachsmann
Last action
2026-04-20
Official status
Passed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide any financial support or change laws, it is purely an expression of commendation.

Praising the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant

This bill commends the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant for its contributions to leadership development and community service.

What This Bill Does

  • Commends the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant for celebrating leadership, community service, and county fair advocacy since 2000.
  • Recognizes Rhonda Pugh Demsko (now Ostman) and Alan Nogiec as founders who established a program to serve young women and strengthen the Isle of Wight County Fair's connection to the community.
  • Honors Jenilee Hallman and Regine Walme-Edwards for reviving and successfully leading the pageant since 2018, providing opportunities for personal growth and scholarship.
  • Expresses admiration for the pageant’s achievements in promoting agriculture, education, and community pride.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant
  • Jenilee Hallman and Regine Walme-Edwards, co-directors of the pageant

Terms To Know

Commendation
An official statement expressing praise or approval.
Pageant
A public celebration or show, often featuring a contest or parade.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not provide financial support or change any laws.
  • It only expresses the House of Delegates' appreciation for the pageant's work.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-20 House

    Bill text as passed House (HR242ER)

  2. 2026-03-09 House

    Engrossed by House

  3. 2026-03-09 House

    Agreed to by House by voice vote

  4. 2026-03-03 House

    Presented and laid on Speaker's table 26108889D

Official Summary Text

Commending the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Commending the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2026
WHEREAS, since 2000, the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant has celebrated leadership, community service, and county fair advocacy, becoming a proud local tradition; and
WHEREAS, the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant was established by Rhonda Pugh Demsko (now Ostman), in partnership with Alan Nogiec, the former director of Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation and fair manager, to create a program that would serve as an ambassadorial platform for young women while strengthening the Isle of Wight County Fair's connection to the community and the Virginia Association of Fairs; and
WHEREAS, Rhonda Ostman directed the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant for its first 12 years, guiding it through a period of growth and establishing a strong foundation that emphasized professionalism, public speaking, and community involvement; from 2013 to 2014, the pageant continued under the co-direction of Katie Callow (now Whisenant) and Kaitlin Gudger, ensuring continuity during a transitional period; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant was not held, but Cathy Richards of the Isle of Wight County Fair Committee coordinated the selection of a fair queen through an essay contest, maintaining the fair's presence within the Virginia Association of Fairs system for the next few years; and
WHEREAS, the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant was revamped in 2018 by Jenilee Hallman and Regine Walme-Edwards, who continue to serve as the pageant's co-directors; under their leadership, the pageant has experienced renewed participation and success, once again providing contestants with opportunities for personal growth, scholarship, and statewide representation; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant has proudly sent representatives to the Miss Virginia Association of Fairs Pageant, with numerous titleholders earning top placements at the state level; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant hereby be commended for its years of service to young women in the region; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jenilee Hallman and Regine Walme-Edwards, co-directors of the Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Scholarship Pageant, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the pageant's achievements in promoting agriculture, education, and community pride.