Miss Amazing

There is she is, Miss Amazing Amanda Chandler, of Poquoson.

Amanda recently completed her one-year reign as Miss Amazing for the country.

The Miss Amazing program is a pageant for young ladies with disabilities. Amanda has tetrasomy and autism, according to Amanda’s mother, Jaimie Chandler.

She noted that when Amanda was a baby, they were told that she would have little development and speech abilibies. She has exceeded that.

Amanda became interested in pageants through her older sister, who participated in several pageants.

“The Miss Amazing gives people with disabilities that they can do things,” Jaimie said.

The young ladies showcase their talents in music, dance, sports and art. Along the way, they make friends with young ladies from all over the commonwealth and the country. They also learn confidence and independence.

“It also helps them to network to make friends,” said Sharon Turner, state director.

Turner said her daughter, who participates, said her daughter, Shelby, still talks with a friend who lives in Chicago.

Like any other pageant, participants receive a sash and gift bags, Turner added.

Jaimie said all the young ladies are inspiring. “I get tears in my eyes during the pageant, not only my child. There was one young lady who danced on pointe,” she said.

Just like other pageants, the young ladies get their hair and make-up done. They are escorted along the way. Last year, when the state pageant was in Virginia Beach, the city’s police officers escorted the contestants. Amanda said that was the best part of the pageant.

Amanda has participated in the pageant for seven years. She also raises money for several area charities.