Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407040081
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELISSA CURTIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Those were some of Cullen Johnson's first words after she was named Miss Virginia 1994 Saturday night at the Roanoke Civic Center.
After placing as a runner-up three years in a row in the pageant, finally winning the title brought tears to Johnson's eyes as Nancy Glisson, Miss Virginia 1993, ended her reign by pinning the crown on the pageant winner's head.
"I feel elated," said Johnson, 23, amidst a crowd of television cameras and reporters. "The fourth time's a charm."
As she walked down the runway, roses in her arms, Johnson mouthed "thank you" to a crowd of admirers who shouted, "We love you, Cullen."
After three years of experience in the Miss Virginia pageant and six hours of daily preparation, including an hour of piano practice, Johnson said she thinks she performed her best this year.
"I felt very strong in all areas of competition," said Johnson, who lives in Virginia Beach. "From being here four times I knew how to prepare."
And the preparation paid off. Johnson, Miss Central Shenandoah Valley and a graduate of Longwood College, will represent Virginia in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City in September. As Miss Virginia, she receives $7,000 in scholarship money and the use of a car during her reign.
Johnson, dressed in a stunning black gown, performed a fast-paced, condensed version of Beethoven's "Sonata Pathetique."
In the evening gown portion of the competition, Johnson, a language major, spoke of her desire to spread multicultural awareness and the importance of children's learning a second language.
"The earlier we teach children about multicultural education, the better our society will be," she said.
Winning $850 in scholarship money, fourth runner-up in the competition was Amber Medlin, Miss Apple Blossom Festival. Third runner-up, winner of $1,050 scholarship money and a community service award of $500 was Miss Amherst County, Andrea Ballengee. Second runner-up and winner of $1,400 was Stacey Mosley, Miss Virginia Peanut. Kimberly Welch, Miss Lychburg, won first runner-up and $2,000.
Tara Duus, Miss Martinsville-Henry County Festival, and Sheila Johnson, Miss Williamsburg, won the Betty Joe Patsel award of $600 as non-finalist talent competition winners.
Natural and elegant, Johnson said she may not seem like the typical beauty queen because she prefers to maintain her individuality. Johnson's advice to future pageant contestants:
"Go with what makes you comfortable," Johnson said. "Just be yourself and you'll go far."
by CNB