NEW VIRGINIANS ARE FINE AMBASSADORS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 18, 1993                   TAG: 9303180552
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
NEW VIRGINIANS ARE FINE AMBASSADORS
RECENTLY I was privileged to hear the "New Virginians." What talent - great voices and dancing, a fine orchestra - a wonderful representation of America's youth. It was a joy! There were lots of toe tapping, hand clapping and an emotional tear or two. Those kids had heart!
As I watched the stage and the viewers, the young people smiling out and the people smiling back, I couldn't help but think of crowds who view Virginia Tech activities where often a fight breaks out, people holler and boo angrily, frown a great deal of the time, and fanatically stick their fingers in the air screaming "We're No. 1."
For those of you who unfortunately have never heard these young people, they are from Virginia Tech and are required to keep good grades to be a part of this group of fine ambassadors.
Now I'm told, after more than 20 years of helping hundreds of young people hone and develop their God-given talents, some eggheads want to eliminate this beautiful group. Why?
I could suggest many ways of cutting the budget other than what they propose. I'll offer just one: Don't suit up but 40 of the necessary 11 football players. The cost of savings on the uniforms alone would more than likely sustain the "New Virginians" for years to come.
DICK MALLEN\ ROANOKE

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB