Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 28, 1995                   TAG: 9502280078
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

MISS NEW RIVER VALLEY PAGEANT IS SATURDAY

The winner and the first two runners-up will share a $1,000 scholarship. The Miss America Pageant program, for which this pageant is a stepping stone, is the largest source of scholarships for women in the country, said Dari Cupp, one of the directors of the local competition.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. They can be bought from any of the contestants or at Diane's Hair Center and Pageant Palace and Formals at 306 Main St. in Christiansburg.

Contestants must be between 17 and 24 years old, single and either in school or intending to continue their education. They will be judged in a private interview, talent, evening gown and swimsuit competitions.

The winner will represent the valley in the Miss Virginia Pageant, to be held in Roanoke in July.

Master of ceremonies for the New River Valley pageant, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Christiansburg High School, is Steve Holstein of WPSK Radio. Traci Basham, Miss New River Valley 1994, will crown the new winner.

The 10 contestants who entered the pageant are:

Nichole Johnson, an 18-year-old freshman at Hollins College, who will sing in the talent competition.

Kristel Jenkins, a 17-year-old senior at William Byrd High School, who will dance in the talent portion.

Susan Painter, who will sing. She is a 19-year-old sophomore at Carson Newman University.

Machelle Pack, a 17-year-old Blacksburg High School senior, who will dance.

Renee Peaks, an 18-year-old Virginia Tech freshman, who will sing.

Jodi Skurupey will also sing. She is a 21-year-old student at New River Community College.

Erin Davis Parker, who is an 18-year-old 1994 graduate of Christiansburg High School. She will clog.

Allison Rose, a 19-year-old sophomore at Radford University, who will sing.

Karen McNew, a 20-year-old sophomore at Virginia Tech. She will sing.

Kimberly Wray, a 23-year-old 1994 graduate of Radford University, who will play piano.

Also Saturday, at 1 p.m. at the high school, is Tiny Miss New River Valley pageant in which 20 kids will compete. Tickets are $3.