our 2026 titleholders

 Sixteen-year-old Samantha Scott is already transforming compassion into action through her community service initiative, Wrapping Our Communities in Care, an outreach platform inspired by her great-grandfather’s journey from Trinidad to the United States. Arriving with only a suitcase and a few dollars, he found refuge at a local YMCA—an act of kindness that shaped Samantha’s belief that no one should face homelessness alone. 

Determined to honor that legacy, Samantha founded Home Sweet Hope, where she leads donation drives, community partnerships, and awareness campaigns to support Virginians experiencing homelessness. Through collaborations with organizations like Primrose Schools, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and The Caring Closet RVA, she has organized sock drives, bedding collections, and clothing initiatives—efforts that have already resulted in over 200 hours of community service and growing impact across the region.

Samantha is equally passionate about educating others. By sharing her work on social media and inviting peers to volunteer alongside her, she is helping correct misconceptions about homelessness and inspiring students her age to launch their own service projects. She is currently in the process of establishing Home Sweet Hope as an official nonprofit, expanding her ability to serve families in need. 

Beyond her advocacy, Samantha is a multi-talented young woman: a published children's book author, commercial and runway model, Jr. Board Member and Social Media Strategist for Habitat for Humanity, and a Top 13 finalist at Miss Virginia’s Teen 2025. A student in the Todd Allen Phillips Medical Program at Godwin High School, she aspires to become an anesthesiologist and continues to nurture her creativity through art, piano/vocal performance, and writing. 

Guided by the belief that “homelessness can happen to anyone,” Samantha is committed to wrapping her community in care—one drive, one conversation, and one act of hope at a time. 

 At just sixteen, Lexie Hovey is a powerful voice for families affected by Type 1 Diabetes, using her Community Service Initiative — Turning Type One into Type None — to educate, advocate, and spread hope across Virginia. Her mission began when her older brother, Zach, was diagnosed at age 11. Lexie witnessed the fear and uncertainty her family faced, from emergency seizures to the daily demands of managing blood sugar. Those moments shaped her calling: to ensure no family navigates Type 1 Diabetes without awareness, support, and compassion. 

As an advocate for Breakthrough T1D, Lexie raises funds, participates in awareness events, and speaks to students about recognizing early warning signs of the disease. She has met with the offices of Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to support legislation that lowers insulin costs and expands access to life-saving supplies. She helped establish Diabetes Awareness Week in Williamsburg and supported a statewide proclamation helping Virginians “Know the Signs of Type 1.” 

Lexie uses her creativity and communication skills to reach even further. Through her YouTube channel, Diabetes Unfiltered, she shares educational content and personal stories — including interviews with leaders like Miss America 1998, Nicole Johnson. She is also writing a children’s book to help young readers understand diabetes with empathy and confidence. 

Beyond her advocacy, Lexie is an accomplished dancer, cheerleader, and scholar. She has trained with world-renowned ballet institutions including Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet of London, Orlando Ballet, and Ballet West. She performs with regional companies and serves as captain of both her sideline and competition cheer teams — a rare achievement for a junior. Academically, she is an honor roll student, a National Junior Honor Society member, and part of her district’s gifted program. 

Whether she is performing her jazz dance to “Canned Heat,” speaking in classrooms, or championing policy change, Lexie approaches every opportunity with passion, poise, and purpose. As Miss Louisa County’s Teen, she is dedicated to helping families feel seen, supported, and hopeful — and to creating a future where we truly turn Type One into Type None.

 At twelve years old, Bethany Ablondi’s world suddenly changed. Once a vibrant dancer training five days a week, she became overwhelmed by unexplained pain, fatigue, and months of unanswered medical questions. The diagnosis—Celiac disease—finally brought clarity, but it also reshaped every aspect of her life. From losing access to her favorite foods to feeling isolated at events centered around shared meals, Bethany learned firsthand how deeply this autoimmune condition affects not just the body, but a person’s emotional and social well-being. 

Today, Bethany channels that experience into powerful advocacy. Through her Community Service Initiative supporting the Celiac Disease Foundation, she raises awareness, promotes accurate diagnosis, and champions the need for stronger research funding. She serves as a Certified Celiac Disease Foundation Policy Advocate, working to advance federal priorities such as improved food labeling requirements, increased NIH funding, and the formation of a Congressional Celiac Caucus. She is also joining the iCureCeliac patient registry, contributing her own story to national research efforts aimed at finding a cure. 

Bethany’s work extends beyond policy. She founded a gluten-free support group for young people to build community and reduce the isolation so many with Celiac disease experience. She partners with gluten-free businesses, including Fearless Gluten-Free Café, to host fundraisers and community events. She also educates students through presentations that explain the seriousness of Celiac disease and how to support friends and family living with it. 

A gifted artist, dancer, and entrepreneur, Bethany balances her advocacy with an impressive list of achievements. She is the owner of Graceful Hands Art Company, a freshman at Germanna Community College, a Kennedy Center Ballet Masterclass alumna, and the 2025 Via Colori Signature Artist. She performs classical ballet en pointe and has been recognized in art, cosplay, and dance competitions across the region. 

Bethany approaches health with the same discipline she brings to dance, training five days a week and maintaining a gluten-free diet tailored to her medical needs. As a teacher-in-training at Avery Ballet, she instills in younger dancers the importance of strength, confidence, and caring for their bodies.

As a titleholder, Bethany uses her voice to amplify the experiences of those living with Celiac disease and to share the hope offered by ongoing research. Her mission is clear: to help others feel seen, supported, and empowered—one dancer, one classroom, and one conversation at a time.