THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 15, 1995 TAG: 9507150013
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Margaret Baker, the director of the Miss Virginia Pageant, and Andrea Ballengee, Miss Virginia, seem to think that ``Wishing will make it so.'' They wish she had graduated magna cum laude; they wish she were a member of Phi Beta Kappa; they wish she had graduated with honors; and they wish she had been voted best ``athlete'' instead of best ``cheerleader.''
Her claims are not matters of opinion; they are matters of public record. The record verifies that Andrea Ballengee is none of those things. Quite simply, she lied.
This is not merely a case of not having a ``clear memory'' or making an administrative error. On four separate occasions, Andrea Ballengee stated untruths regarding her credentials.
What is the response of the Miss Virginia Pageant? ``That's OK. We're behind her all the way.'' This proves that the pageant is truly about appearances only, and certainly not about integrity.
CAROL-ANN CUCE
Virginia Beach, July 6, 1995
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