Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508210012
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CAMI DENISON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She is an outstanding student. The public knew of her 3.5035 GPA from Virginia Tech. However, she also attended Palm Beach Atlantic College and Christopher Newport University. When her grades from these two institutions are averaged in with her grades from Tech, it equals an overall GPA of 3.6883. At many universities and colleges, this impressive GPA is honored with magna cum laude distinction. It was only out of lack of knowledge regarding this distinction that she claimed such honors. Clearly, she didn't need to trump up an already outstanding GPA that illustrated her academic excellence.
Andrea is a skilled dancer and athlete. What the public didn't know was that she cheered at the college level during her freshman and sophomore years at Tech. College cheerleading is considered a sport. Scholarships are awarded to these athletes, and strenuous training and commitment go into preparing for hours of demanding performance. In her mind, there was no planned calculation for substituting the word athlete for cheerleader. It was a matter of simple semantics.
She is a compassionate, caring volunteer and advocate for at-risk youth. What the public didn't know was of her endless hours in dance studios and youth centers teaching poise, discipline and self-esteem to local girls and boys. This is where Andrea thrives. She believes in giving back to her community, and she knows that our youth are the key to this country's success. That's why she'll pursue her studies as a legal advocate for our nation's children.
Andrea is human. As this tragedy unfolded, I came across a very fitting quote that I shared with her: ``Experience is the name everyone calls their mistakes.'' Just 21, she's only beginning to learn what life is all about. And she's the first to admit that she has made her share of mistakes. But, if anything, they were honest ones - nothing purposefully deceitful nor manipulative about them.
Andrea was selected as Miss Virginia based on her performance in the interview, swimsuit, talent and evening-gown segments of the pageant. The judges didn't unanimously vote Andrea as Miss Virginia due to the items on her fact sheet. Those items weren't a basis for their decision whatsoever.
I have personally found the beauty-pageant industry to be a political animal of its own, and have learned that much goes on behind the curtain that the public doesn't know about. For example, the Miss Virginia pageant application is filled out in April before the contest in July. Due to the time frame when this form is completed, many of the questions require projections from the contestants. Are these projections considered embellishments on a resume? Not according to the Miss Virginia Board of Directors that supports a ``putting your best foot forward'' attitude. The actions, or lack of, by board members during this unfortunate incident raised serious concern about their professionalism and integrity. I second that sentiment.
Any business professional worth his or her salt knows that during a crisis communication situation, the last action to take is to clam up and say that the matter is closed. If the Miss Virginia Board of Directors had accepted its responsibility to Andrea, it would have, from the beginning, let her speak the truth regarding her application. As Miss Virginia, however, she was under contract to not contact the media without the board's approval. She said only what the board prompted her to say, and she wasn't able to give Virginians what she knew they needed to hear - her story and truth.
Andrea truthfully put her good name, reputation and future in the hands of the men and women who had been running our state beauty pageant for more than a decade. What did she have to lose by doing this? Only the Miss Virginia title and crown she so worthily deserved and earned.
Cami Denison, of Virginia Beach, is communications manager for a nonprofit organization in Newport News.
by CNB