For the first time, Alexandria will be represented in the Miss Virginia Pageant as Erika Elaine Thomas was crowned Miss Alexandria 2009 Saturday evening at George Washington Middle School. The 23-year-old Thomas, who performed a jazz dance for the talent portion of the competition, will receive a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to compete for over $40,000 of scholarship awards at the Miss Virginia Pageant in June.

Thomas is a junior at James Madison University where she is majoring in communications with a minor in archaeology.

She is the vice president of Sigma Alpha Lambda National Honor Society and a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society.

First runner-up in the pageant was Rebecca Lloyd, followed by Elissa Taylor as second runner-up, Lauren Milam as third runner-up and Emily Hall as fourth runner-up. Scholarships were awarded by Alexandria Chevy, ServiceMaster of Alexandria, Simpson Development, Renner and Company and David L. Jones Insurance.