DATE: Sunday, July 6, 1997                  TAG: 9707030248

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: CLOSE-UP 

                                            LENGTH:   62 lines

PANDORA JOHNSON MRS. VIRGINIA, VOLUNTEER

Pandora Johnson didn't celebrate her Independence Day holiday grilling burgers in her Green Run back yard with her husband and five children.

She was up in Culpeper. In fact, she was invited to be a guest of honor in the small Northern Virginia town's 4th of July parade.

As the newly named Mrs. Virginia, Johnson will need to get used to such celebrity. Next month she travels to Las Vegas to compete for the Mrs. America crown from Aug. 28 through Sept. 6.

Her children are just as excited as she is. ``They want their mommy to be Mrs. America,'' she said.

When she's not being Mrs. Virginia, the busy wife and mother is very involved in her children's school, at her church and with modeling.

Full name: Pandora Ware Johnson.

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

What brought you to the Beach? A job in video production after graduation from Hampton University.

Birthdate: Jan 9, 195?

Occupation: Mother/model/volunteer.

Nickname: Pan.

Marital status: Happily married to Rob.

Children: Jermaine 23, Anjeanette, 11, Kendra, 9, and twins, Christopher and Aaron, 7.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? No makeup, a morning bike ride with my hubby, a nap and a movie on AMC.

Last smart thing you did: Entered the Mrs. Virginia America Pageant for the fifth time.

Last dumb thing you did: Tried to pay my phone bill twice.

Favorite meal: Breakfast at IHOP or Village Inn.

Favorite movies: ``Sabrina'' (original) and ``The Color Purple.''

Favorite song: ``His Strength is Perfect'' by Cece Winans.

Last book read: ``101 Secrets to Winning Beauty Pageants'' by Ann-Marie Bivans.

Hobbies: Photo-graphy-/-vid-eo-graphy-/-sew-ing

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To remember there are only 24 hours in a day and there's only one me.

If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Nothing. I love him just the way God made him.

Secret vice: Homemade bread and butter.

Favorite restaurant: Steinhilber's.

Your favorite night on the town: Dinner with my husband and friends, maybe a movie, dessert at Uncle Harry's and a walk.

Favorite TV shows: ``Home Improvement,'' ``Touched by an Angel'' and AMC.

Favorite sport: Football and boxing.

Last vacation: St. Petersburg and Orlando, Fla.

Pets: None

Worst job: Canvassing.

Of what achievements are you most proud? My marriage of 13 years, raising five children and being the first African American to represent Virginia at the Mrs. America Pageant.

What would you like as your epitaph? A virtuous woman. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS

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