Carlehr Swanson is honored to represent her home state as Miss Virginia 2024. Born and raised in Richmond, she is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the communities that have shaped her life. Competing as Miss Blue Ridge, Carlehr was crowned Miss Virginia 2024 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke on June 29, 2024, securing $22,500 in cash scholarships. In fact, during the last ten years, she has won about $50,000 in scholarships by participating in the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen competitions.
She is currently a fourth-year Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia, specializing in Critical and Comparative Studies in Music. Carlehr also holds a Master’s Degree in Critical and Comparative Studies in Music from the University of Virginia, a Master’s Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies from George Mason University.
As Miss Virginia, Carlehr champions her community service initiative, “Bridging the Divide: Music is Unity.” This program was inspired in eighth grade by a visit to her grandmother’s rehabilitation center, where Carlehr observed that many residents had no visitors to comfort them. Rather than simply feel the sadness of the circumstances, Carlehr got to work; as an adult, she organized workshops to harness the transformative and connective power of music through free performances and educational programs focused on the noteworthy, even healing, role of music in all our lives.
As a spokesperson for the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority’s Miss Virginia School Tour program, Carlehr promotes healthy choices and substance abuse prevention to elementary school students across the Commonwealth. In addition, she makes personal appearances in support of local businesses and nonprofits, showcasing the significant positive impact that the Miss Virginia and Miss America Opportunities make on people’s lives.
In January, Miss Virginia Carlehr Swanson will proudly represent the finest of her home state at the Miss America Competition at the Walt Disney Theater in Orlando, Florida.
Carlehr Swanson 