THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994 TAG: 9409140160
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATRICIA HUANG, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
WHEN MOST PEOPLE think of beauty pageants, they often conjure up images of bright lights, lip gloss and high heels. But Patrice Griffin has a different outlook.
``It's more of a mental thing than anything,'' said the 20-year-old Chesapeake native. ``A beauty pageant isn't all about the gook anymore. It's not so much about all the makeup and how the skin looks.''
Last month, the Norfolk State University junior became the first Virginian to win the Miss Elks of the World Beauty Pageant held in Chicago.
The pageant, an international contest, dates back to the late 1940s. It was established as an alternative to the Miss America and Miss Universe pageants when African Americans were not allowed to enter the mainstream beauty pageants, said Ed Joyner, president of the Deep Creek Elks Lodge and state director for the pageant.
After winning the statewide Elks pageant in June, Griffin went on to compete against 22 contestants in the international contest which included swimwear, evening wear and talent competitions. She won the title and $1,200.
``Talent is a large part of the scoring,'' said Griffin, who sings Natalie Cole's ``Inseparable,'' when she has to perform.
The NSU mass communications major enjoys bowling, reading and singing rhythm and blues during her spare time and said she recently signed a contract with Brittany Records in Newport News.
Before graduating in 1992 from Indian River High School, Griffin also held the title of Miss Indian River. She had placed consecutively as third runner-up and second runner-up in two other contests, the Miss Chesapeake and Miss Portsmouth Seawall pageants, which are preliminary competitions for the Miss Virginia pageant.
Though Griffin said that the Miss America title is not one of her goals, she added that if she had the opportunity to pursue it, she would. But for now she wants to concentrate on her singing. She gets some practice from her part-time job as a waitress and performer on the Spirit of Norfolk.
``I don't know how I got into it all,'' Griffin said of pageant competing. ``I'm not a vain person; I'm a very nonchalant person.''
But because of the competitions, she said she is also much more confident now. ``And that's what it's all about,'' she said.
For her swimsuit competition in Chicago, Griffin wore a fluorescent pink bathing suit adorned with little pink beads. During the evening wear competition she chose a long-sleeved white beaded gown, pearl earrings and clear pumps. Her edge, she said, is that she is always smiling.
``But, it really is a different world,'' Griffin said. ``People really get into it. It's almost like a sport. There are people who go and recruit for it.''
She could do without the stress of it, she said. Even the stress of winning.
``Some of the girls in Chicago had a hard time with it. . . It really is a stress for the person who wins because of the people who can't handle losing.''
But, nonetheless, Griffin is very proud of her title and of being the first Virginian to be named Miss Elks of the World. She hasn't been approached with any endorsements or requests for volunteer work, but Griffin said, ``It's an honor. It really is. And if something good can come out of this I'd be willing to do it. If something can be gained from it, I'm interested.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Beauty pageant winner Patrice Griffin recently signed a contract
with Brittany Records in Newport News.
by CNB