[9][10] She competed in the 2012 Miss Virginia pageant with the platform "Defying Disabilities" and a vocal performance of a Martina McBride song in the talent portion of the competition.

[13] She competed in the 2013 Miss Virginia pageant with the platform "Defying Disabilities" and a vocal performance of "Caruso" by Lucio Dalla in the talent portion of the competition.

[3][16][17] She entered the Miss Virginia pageant at the Roanoke Civic Center in June 2014 as one of 26 qualifiers for the state title.

[18] Garrett's competition talent was a vocal performance of "Parla Più Piano", an Italian language version of the love theme from The Godfather.

[18][21] Garrett won the competition on Saturday, June 28, 2014, when she received her crown from outgoing Miss Virginia titleholder Desiree Williams.

[2] She and Austin, who has cerebral palsy, appeared together on a Wheaties box commemorating the 2014 Special Olympics World Games.