THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270228
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: 70 lines
Sharon Brothers Parker, 29, was selected as Mrs. Chesapeake International partly because of the way she looks in photographs and partly because of her idea for getting volunteers involved in schools.
She calls her idea ``Adopt-a-Class.''
``I want to get to know the students and work with those who need extra attention by being a positive role model,'' Parker said.
The class she chose is at Winona Middle School, Norfolk, where her friend is a teacher.
``I think her platform is fabulous because it's helping the youth of today,'' said Mary Richardson, a Mrs. Virginia International Pageant representative. ``For the past four years, she has been going to area schools and talking to students about the importance of education and staying out of trouble.''
Parker, who holds down a full-time job and has been teaching aerobics part-time since 1988, qualifies.
Parker is not new to pageants. In 1984 Parker was Miss Indian River High School, and in 1992 she was crowned Miss Norfolk.
Parker attended Bauder Fashion College in Atlanta, where she earned a degree in fashion merchandising.
She will have many opportunities to represent the city in her official capacity this year and to compete for the title of Mrs. Virginia International.
Full name: Sharon Brothers Parker
Hometown: Chesapeake
Fond childhood memories: ``My entire family is very close. My parents, aunts, uncles and cousins used to travel together a lot. I remember going on cruises to St. Thomas and to Puerto Rico. We still travel together. During the winter months we have dinner together every Sunday. We all go to the same church, Bethany Baptist Church.''
Spouse: Thornton Parker Jr.
Children: Sydney
Occupation: Executive secretary for telephone service at Household Credit Services
Hobbies: Teaching aerobics
Last book read: ``Waiting to Exhale'' by Terri McMillan
What's your favorite game? Solitaire
Describe yourself as a color: ``Red, because I'm energetic, outgoing, bold and aggressive.''
If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``A lion. He has the same characteristics I have. He's strong and brave and bold. But I wouldn't be the big lion.''
What irritates you the most? ``Successful people who have forgotten their roots.''
Favorite song: ``Wind Beneath My Wings'' by Bette Midler
Favorite movie: ``Forrest Gump.'' In that movie, you get to feel all the emotions - the good and the bad.''
Can't resist: ``Working out''
Favorite TV program: ``Prime Time Live''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Court House Cafe
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``I'd like to spend more quality time with my 16-month-old daughter.''
If there was anything you could change about yourself, what would it be? ``My philosophy is that if you can do something to help someone else, you should. So I have a tendency to over-extend myself. That's more of a problem now that I have a family.''
What would you choose for a last meal? ``Some of my mom's spaghetti. It's good.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY by CNB