Photo courtesy of Amy Simmons
Amy photo _ Amy Shaffer Simmons has been crowned of Mrs. United States Tourism 2019.By Marty Gordon
Christiansburg native Amy Shaffer Simmons will be touring the country this coming year after winning the title of Mrs. United States Tourism 2019. She received the crown last month.
The Miss Tourism Pageant System selects titleholders to represent their country of residence, cultural heritage, state or city at the World Competition in Nashville, Tennessee. There those competing will participate in Interview, state costume, evening gown, photogenic and fashion modeling events. Titles are won through photogenic competition as well as a contestants’ bios.
“I was extremely honored beyond belief to be crowned the titleholder for World’s Mrs. United States Tourism 2019,” she said.
This is an organization of appearances, autograph signing, community outreach, parades, store openings, modeling, magazine cover/articles, news and media.
Simmons has been involved in pageantry for many years with achievements and titles including but not limited to: Ms. American Clogger, Ms. Virginia Professional Woman, Virginia State American Royalty, Miss U.S. Elegant Woman, Model Beauty USA and Mrs. Carter County (Mrs. Tennessee Pageant-Mrs. America Pageant).
Her first pageant was at Christiansburg High School where she attended school–the Miss CHS pageant.
“I enjoyed challenging myself. As a dancer, I have always enjoyed the stage, costumes, modeling and public speaking,” she said.
Simmons had owned and operated Dancer’s Dreams Performing Arts Academy since 1991 when it opened in Christiansburg.
She was also the director of the Mountain Dream Cloggers show team and the professional clogging team for the Dixie Dream Dancers, and the director of and a cheerleader for the Roanoke Rush National Minor League football team, and a dancer and cheerleader for the Roanoke Express hockey team.
Simmons left Christiansburg for Tennessee in 2014 and called leaving the area as one of the hardest times in her life.
“The closing of such a beautiful business which was a staple of the community for so many years. So many students grew up there. Then, I even taught some of their children! At 50 I am so thankful and grateful to each beautiful soul that allowed me to be a part of their lives in Christiansburg. I have some of the best memories with so many. They will never know how each of them touched my life. Memories are the greatest treasure of life and I have so many treasures in Christiansburg,” she said.
Dancer’s Dream has continued in Tennessee with locations in Elizabethton and Johnson City.
She had moved to Christiansburg in 1982 from Columbia, Missouri where her father was a professor. Dr. Robert Shaffer retired from Virginia Tech and still lives in the area with his wife, Lynn. Simmon’s sons, Cody and Forest, both graduated from Tech after being members of the Corps of Cadets.
She also directed many charity pageants while living in Christiansburg that benefited Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army, and the Woman’s Resource Center and includes 22 years of charity pageants.
Simmons continues to dance and encourages other to also remain active. “You are never too old for dance. At 50, I’m still performing and teaching 18 classes a week. I encourage everyone I meet to find some physical activity they love eat healthy and keep moving.”
Her advice to anyone interested in the World’s Miss Tourism Pageant is to, go for it. “Be yourself and let your special light God gave you shine,” she said.
Pageantry, according to the CHS graduate, is so much more than a crown.
“The competition itself is so challenging. You prepare for so many categories. My favorite is talent competition of course, and modeling. The over-all massive organization skills you must have along with public speaking, and interviewing can all add so much to enriching someone’s life,” Simmons said.
As a pageant titleholder, her favorite times are speaking to or appearances with children. “To see their faces light up is magic. Being a role model is really being a princess of this day and time. We can all, no matter if you wear crown, help humanity by simply being considerate, loving and KIND. The World’s Miss Tourism Pageant focuses on just this kindness to others.”
Her goal while holding the new title is to continue to touch people’s lives in a positive way. “Be it through speaking engagements, appearances, performances or even personal mentoring. When you are a dance teacher for as many years as I have been, I’ve worn many hats, now my current hat is made of rhinestones, and I proudly wear the World’s Mrs. United States Tourism 2019 banner,” concluded Simmons.
For more information on the pageant, visit info@worldsmisstouismpageant.com.