ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 18, 1997 TAG: 9704180048
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE THE ROANOKE TIMES
Women's studies groups at two Montgomery County high schools mobilized to alter traditional spring pageants.
When a student came up to Dana Owens and asked for information about eating disorders, she knew the women's studies group was worth it.
"If we hadn't been there, she may not have gotten help," said Owens, a junior at Auburn High School.
The idea for a club that would focus on women's issues began at Blacksburg High School. Teacher Linda Hinson found girls were coming to her with questions and problems, saying they didn't know where to go for answers or help.
Last year, a group of about 50 girls - and several boys - met for the first time. Over the year, the group invited speakers to raise awareness about eating disorders, self-defense techniques and media images of women.
Now, the idea has spread. Blacksburg High has more than 100 members this year. With their help, Auburn High School in Riner has formed a group and Blacksburg Middle School is working on one, too.
It hasn't been easy. Fellow students teased the boys who joined, and asked the girls why bother studying women.
"I feel like the whole world is a men's studies group," said Emily Trivette, a senior at Auburn High School. "We need support from other sympathetic women - or men."
Most students didn't make a big deal about it, though. Not until pageant time, at least.
Today would have been the day the "Ms. BHS" pageant was held. Only four girls signed up, so the event was canceled for the second year in a row.
The pageant was a long-held tradition in Blacksburg - it celebrated it's 50th anniversary a few years ago.
Any girl could join. It was a moneymaker for the Future Business Leaders of America, and if the girl couldn't find a sponsor to pay the entrance fee, the student group would find one for her.
The competitors modeled three outfits and spoke to the audience about their hobbies and future plans.
Last year, three members of the Blacksburg women's studies group challenged the pageant.
"We never wanted to take anything away from" those who were interested in having a pageant, said senior and co-president Rachel Barker. "We asked that it would include things like leadership and community service."
But the move angered some people and caused a rift among teachers, parents and students, to the extent that many people still this spring didn't want to talk about the issue.
This year, a similar rift developed at Auburn High School. After the women's studies group asked for a more well-rounded contest that emphasized ability over beauty, the faculty unanimously decided not to hold a pageant.
On a positive note, said Auburn member Jack Angert, "after that happened, we got the biggest turnout ever. Some people came I wouldn't have expected to come but did and really got involved."
Angert said he joined because he has a younger sister. "Some of the things [the group] talks about seemed like stuff I should know to help her," he said.
Besides guest speakers, both high school groups have gathered donations for the Women's Resource Center in Radford. The group in Blacksburg now has a small resource room supervised by a teacher and open to students during lunch.
The seniors who started the groups - and will graduate in two months - say they know the interest in women's studies will continue with future classes.
"It's a preventative measure," said Blacksburg co-president Jane Taylor. "When I go away to college I'll know about sexual harassment, date rape, stuff like that."
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB