THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407080261
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mr. Robert's Neighborhood
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
The original idea was the usual - little kid wins little title - pleasant little interview - abbreviated story.
It didn't work that way with Lindsay Westbrook Austin, the 5-year-old charmer who recently donned the Little Miss Suffolk crown and sash.
She was one of 15 contestants, ages 4 to 8, in the June 25 pageant at Nansemond River High School.
In the 1980s, when I had the pleasure of emceeing that competition, it lured about 30 youngsters, thanks to the work of the sponsors of the time, the Xi Beta Iota chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.
I digress. Back to Lindsay, who came to the office for a picture and interview.
What do you ask a 5-year-old? Duh-h-h - why do you think you won?
``There were five judges, and they all gave me a 10,'' Lindsay said. ``I won because I'm cute. I hear that all the time.''
It was her second recognition for cute. Lindsay, a Suffolk resident, was first runner-up in last year's Little Miss Portsmouth competition.
This year's local competition, jumping on the country bandwagon, was called ``Suffolk Goes Country.'' Lindsay went country with a Reba McEntire song.
It was her ability to communicate and her personality that probably sat well with the judges. The blue-eyed, blond youngster is outgoing without being precocious.
She came to the office dressed in the gown she wore the night of the competition, so photographer Mike Kestner could capture her as she was that night.
Lindsay posed prettily while complaining, ``This dress is killing me - it's driving me crazy.''
She illustrated that point by scratching and squirming.
Like most children her age, she shifts subjects whenever the mood strikes.
The subject now was Billy Ray Cyrus. She caught a guitar pick and a towel at one of his concerts.
``He wipes his feet with that towel,'' Lindsay said. ``Yuck - but I'm never gonna wash it.''
Does she like Cyrus' singing?
``I don't like him anymore because he left his old wife, and I don't like that,'' Lindsay said.
She does like Kings Dominion. ``I've been there a hundred times.''
And, she likes ``the beach and Ferris wheel. I can't ride the Ferris wheel this weekend. It blew over 'cause of the strong wind.''
Lindsay also liked the Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens.
``It turns you upside down, but it doesn't throw you out,'' she said. ``It scared me. I'm never going on it again.''
At that point, Little Miss Suffolk eyed sports editor Mike Kernels.
``I know you,'' she said. ``You write about my daddy.''
Lindsay is the daughter of Karen and Tommy Austin.
Tommy Austin was coach at Isle of Wight Academy. This year, he will be at Windsor High.
What does she want to be when she grows up?
``A waitress,'' Lindsay said. ``It's my favorite thing to play.''
Her second occupational choice is veterinarian.
``I like to help cats and dogs,'' Lindsay said, then came up with my absolute favorite line: ``I won't work with elephants. That would take all day.''
Sadly, there was no more question-and-answer session - and for a very good reason.
``I think I'm done interviewing,'' Lindsay said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
``This dress is killing me - it's driving me crazy,'' says Linday
Austin, Little Miss Suffolk, who nevertheless manages a smile.
by CNB