Contact: Teri Elgersma, Alpha Omega Academy, 800-682-7391

ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa, June 30, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Alpha Omega Academy graduate Michaela Sigmon was crowned Miss Virginia 2016 on Saturday, June 25. The Virginia native will represent her home state in the Miss America 2017 pageant this fall.

Twenty-year-old Sigmon graduated from Alpha Omega Academy in 2014, and according to Principal Joseph Bakker, she was an excellent student, as well as a member of the school's chapter of the National Honor Society.

"It's exciting to watch our former students achieve such great success as they chase their passions in life," Bakker said. "We look forward to cheering Michaela on as she competes in the Miss America pageant this September, and we wish her all the best on her future endeavors."

Sigmon first hit the stage as a dancer at the age of four. Since then, her love for performing and making people smile has only grown. She joined the professional dance company Master Works Touring Company at the age of 16 and has performed in numerous locations, including Israel and New York City.

Throughout her pageant career, which began at age six, Sigmon has held several titles, including Miss Virginia Princess, Miss Supermodel, Miss Preteen Star of Tomorrow, Portsmouth Seawall Preteen and Teen, and Miss New River Valley. She was also the state and national preteen winner for Miss America Coed.

Sigmon's longstanding motto, "the greatest blessing is to be a blessing," led to her platform Making It Matter, which places a special emphasis on community service.

"My ultimate goal is to let others know that through service we can be giving, we can serve, we can set high goals, and most importantly, we can obtain them," she wrote on her official website.

The Miss America pageant will take place on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

About Alpha Omega Academy
Accredited by NCA CASI, Alpha Omega Academy is the K-12 online school of Alpha Omega Publications. Founded in 1977, Alpha Omega Publications is a leading provider of award-winning PreK-12 Christian curriculum, educational resources, and services to Christian schools and homeschool families worldwide. Visit Alpha Omega Academy online or call 800-682-7396.