Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991 TAG: 9104030404
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
"I always enjoy whatever activities we get in on. You travel to so many different places that it never really gets old," she said Tuesday in Pulaski, where she helped Wal-Mart open its store.
If your image of a Miss Virginia is someone who arrives in a chauffeured limousine and hogs the spotlight, forget it. DePuy hung back behind the store and political officials until they called on her.
She wished Wal-Mart the best of success, then stepped aside and did not reappear until it was time to stand by the dignitaries for the ribbon-cutting.
With the arrival of the customers, you had to look around carefully once more to locate DePuy. She was seated at a table, quietly autographing photos of herself for anyone stopping to request one. She always got the name so she could personalize the autograph.
As for transportation, Miss Virginia uses a Ford Probe donated by the Southern Virginia Ford Dealers. She has put 25,000 miles on it, driving herself to appearances throughout the Old Dominion.
Of course, she added, that total doesn't count however many miles she has covered when flying.
DePuy, a Florida native, has finished two years at Liberty University toward a business and political science degree. After she graduates, she said, "I would like to be involved in politics to some degree."
As a candidate? "Maybe one day, but mostly helping other people," she said. "I consider myself to be very conservative."
Maybe one reason why all the smiling and ribbon-cutting is not getting old is because she is getting closer to the end of her Miss Virginia reign, she said. She remembered sitting with her grandmother watching the Miss America pageant on TV and wondering if she could ever compete in anything like that.
"I think so many young girls dream of doing something like this when they grow up. It really is a dream come true," she said. - PAUL DELLINGER
by CNB