By Debbie Adams
The 2024 Vinton Dogwood Festival is scheduled for April 26 and 27. Over the past few weeks,
The Vinton Messenger has been looking back on past Dogwood Queens leading up to this year’s
festival and the crowning of a new queen. Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival 1994, Wendi Crouch
Gruninger is featured this week.
1994. (photo courtesy of Wendi Crouch Gruninger)
Initially, when the Vinton Dogwood Festival was established in 1956, the Dogwood Queen was
chosen (after interviews from a panel of judges) from princesses nominated by bands
participating in the event. Beginning in the early 1980s, the festival became a preliminary to the
Miss Virginia and Miss America pageants, with competitions in swimsuits and talent added to
the judges’ interviews to determine the winner. Since the mid-1990s, the Dogwood Queen has
been chosen from seniors at William Byrd High School nominated by the faculty and then
selected by judges.
“I won the title of Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival in February 1994 at William Byrd High
School,” said Gruninger. “The festival was held that April. That was the last year that Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival was a preliminary to the Miss Virginia Pageant. Miss Virginia was held at the Roanoke Civic Center (now the Berglund Center) and the host hotel was the Holiday Inn Tanglewood, because the Hotel Roanoke was
under renovation. At Miss Virginia, I was a Top 10 finalist and preliminary swimsuit winner.
edition. (Vinton Archives photo)
“As a preliminary to Miss Virginia, Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival contestants competed in
personal interview, talent, swimsuit, and evening wear. For talent, I performed a character ballet
to ‘Milord’ by Edith Piaf and in the swimsuit competition, I wore a lime green one-piece (a
requirement at the time) and earned the highest score in both areas of competition.
“The night I was crowned was a culmination of almost two years of hard work and ‘catching up.’ A participant in many pageants throughout childhood, I put that hobby on hold to focus on my
rigorous curriculum at UVA. After attending a local pageant to support a sorority sister, I set my
sights on the Miss Virginia stage and immersed myself in intensive ballet training, physical
fitness, and community service, all while holding a full-time position as a systems consultant at a
worldwide consulting firm.
“After I won, my director, Susan Teass, and I spent the next few months working closely to
prepare for Miss Virginia. She graciously opened her Vinton home to me and introduced me to
several supportive sponsors and resources.
“The weekend of the Dogwood Festival was really special. A local hotel sponsored my stay in
Vinton and the day of the festival was a beautiful ‘Chamber of Commerce’ spring day, full of
sunshine and nice weather which made for a wonderful turnout at the parade.”
Crouch was crowned by Anne Norman, Dogwood Queen for 1992 and reigned as queen during
the 39th annual Dogwood Festival on April 30 that year and rode on a float in the annual parade.
“The Grand Marshall was George Lindsey, an actor and comedian best known for his role as
Goober Pyle on the Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D., and Hee Haw. I had the unique
opportunity to welcome him to Vinton. He kept us all laughing as we awaited the parade through
Vinton.
“I was 23 when I won the title and turned 24 prior to the Miss Virginia Pageant. I had graduated
from the University of Virginia in 1992 with a degree in Systems Engineering. The $1,500
scholarship I earned as Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival allowed me to receive specialized dance
training.”
Gruninger says she chose to earn her degree in systems engineering because she always loved
science and math as a child, growing up in northern Virginia. In 1995, she married Jack
Gruninger, who is also a UVA Systems Engineering graduate.
“We have two sons, Jake (23) who graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in
finance and is employed by EY and Zachary (19), a first year at the University of Georgia
studying civil engineering.
son Zachary, and husband Jack. (photo courtesy of Wendi Crouch Gruninger)
“I worked for a number of consulting firms for several years until the birth of my older son. I
enjoyed being home with my sons during their formative years and returned to work part time a
few years ago. I specialize in project coordination and research in the area of higher education.”
As for the impact being named Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival has had on her life, Gruninger
says, “Having the opportunity to represent such a special place, the experience of competing at
Miss Virginia, and the positive impact of the many volunteers I met along the way led me to a
lifelong commitment to giving back.
“Shortly after Miss Virginia, I was welcomed into the Miss Northern Virginia Pageant
committee close to my home. From 1995-2003, I served in many capacities including mistress of
ceremonies and contestant preparation. In 2004, I was asked to accompany Miss Virginia as her
chaperone to the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J. From 2007-2011, I served as
business manager for Miss Virginia and oversaw her preparation for the Miss America Pageant.
“During this time, I enjoyed worked closely with Steve and Billie Sue Musselwhite from Vinton
when Steve was Executive Director of Miss Virginia. In 2015, I was presented with a unique
opportunity to take on the role of director of the Miss Virginia Association of Fairs Scholarship
Pageant. The VAF serves its member fairs and festivals through representation, education,
information, and direction with a goal of enhancing the economic growth, development, and quality of life of Virginia communities. The pageant is held annually during the association’s
conference and close to $16,000 in scholarship dollars are awarded. I am very proud to carry on
this special Virginia tradition that dates back to 1953 and to be a part of the VAF that is over a
century old.
“In my community, I have volunteered extensively in my sons’ schools, creating a self-esteem
club and curriculum for girls, serving as president of the Battlefield High School Band Support
Organization, and holding the position of chairperson of the BHS Principal’s Advisory Council
and representative to the Superintendent’s Advisory Council in Prince William County.”
This April marks the 30th anniversary of her crowning as Miss Vinton Dogwood Festival.
