
DATE: Sunday, September 28, 1997            TAG: 9709260374

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   62 lines

QUEEN'S LUNCHEON THURSDAY AT NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY BILLIE-JEAN SAVAGE WINS THE CROWN WITH HER ESSAY ON HOW WOMEN'S LIVES HAVE CHANGED IN 50 YEARS.

Billie-Jean Savage, a Nansemond-Suffolk Academy senior, has been selected as the 1997 Peanut Fest Queen.

The title does not come easily.

Determining factors include leadership ability, grades, and writing an essay on a chosen theme.

The theme this year was ``How Have Things Changed for Women in the Past Fifty Years?''

``Within the past 50 years women have had to overcome discrimination and have encountered several other barriers in society,'' Billie-Jean wrote. ``In the '60s women began to form their own liberation movements. These women's groups work hard for the strict enforcement of laws that would promote women's equality.

``Today, women hold several of the highest ranked jobs in America including surgeons, governors and one Supreme Court official,'' she said, adding, ``there has yet to be a female president, but I am sure we will see that very soon.''

Billie-Jean is a member of the National Honor Society, an Honor Council representative, and winner of a Virginian-Pilot Scholastic Achievement Award.

At school she is a member of the Values Committee, Green Club, Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.

Billie-Jean is active with 4-H and had a grand champion steer at the Franklin-Southampton County Fair.

Active in sports, she plays basketball, softball and swims.

Billie-Jean is the daughter of Jane and William Savage of Joshua Lane.

Members of the Peanut Fest Queen's court are:

Natalie Carr, Lakeland High School,

Kristi Hicks, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

I. Meghan Williams, Nansemond River High School,

Leslie Morgan, Lakeland High School, and

Anna Stevens, Nansemond River High School.

The queen and her court will preside over several Peanut Fest related events.

Billie-Jean will be presented with her crown during the annual Queen's Luncheon and Fashion Show at noon, Thursday at the National Guard Armory on Godwin Boulevard. ILLUSTRATION: Photo courtesy of SUFFOLK PEANUT FEST

Members of the 1997 Peanut Fest court include, front row, from left,

Leslie Morgan, Billie-Jean Savage, Natalie Carr; top row, from left,

Anna Stevens, I. Meghan Williams and Kristi Hicks.

Graphic

ABOUT THE EVENT

WHAT: Queen's Luncheon and Fashion Show.

WHEN: Noon, Oct. 2.

WHERE: National Guard Armory.

TICKETS: $12, and can be purchased at the Suffolk Chamber of

Commerce Office, 1001 W. Washington St.

FOR INFORMATION: Call 539-6751. KEYWORDS: PEANUT FEST `97