More Than a Crown: My Journey to Miss West Virginia 2026

About the Speaker: Elizabeth Romanek, Miss West Virginia 2026

MBA student, college recruiter, two-time National Dance Alliance Collegiate Champion, and WV Physical Activity Plan Ambassador Elizabeth Romanek of Wheeling has added a new title to her list of accomplishments: Miss West Virginia 2026.

At the top of her agenda is her community service initiative, M.O.V.E. (Motivate, Optimize, Vitalize, Energize), which encourages all West Virginians to get moving in ways that suit them best. The message matters here. West Virginia’s obesity rate of 41.2% is the highest of all 50 states, and largely because of obesity and chronic disease, the state consistently ranks at or near the bottom in life expectancy. Promoting a healthier West Virginia through movement is at the heart of Elizabeth’s work.

Elizabeth is committed to organizing wellness clubs and after-school activities that keep kids active. As a competitive dancer growing up, she discovered the benefits of movement early, and dance shaped not only her health but also her confidence and discipline. Through M.O.V.E., she hopes to give other young people the same positive experiences.

A summa cum laude graduate of West Virginia University, Elizabeth earned her degree in Marketing, drawn to the chance to connect with people and communicate creatively. She is now pursuing a Master of Business Administration while serving as Assistant Director of Admission and Recruitment Events at Bethany College, where she guides young people in their pursuit of higher education.