Gloucester High School junior Marissa Pelfrey competed in the National American Miss Virginia Pageant, placing in the top 10 of all competitors in the Junior Teenage age group.

This was Pelfrey’s first time competing in a pageant and she was able to place first in the category of Top Model, took second in Actress, fourth in Talent and fifth in Runway. The competition took place in Reston from Aug. 11 through 14.

The first-time pageant competitor said she spent the last six months preparing. She said she became interested in competing because of her love to perform in front of others. Her performance was highlighted by great marks in the Top Model Photo Shoot and in the formal wear runway walk. She also read from a script for the Actress competition and performed the song “Popular” from the musical “Wicked.”

Pelfrey said she wasn’t expecting to win anything or be placed in the top 10. She said the whole experience was special. She said pageants get a bad rap as she found the e...