DATE: Sunday, November 9, 1997              TAG: 9711070312

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: 20 QUESTIONS 

SOURCE: BY DEBORAH MARKHAM, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   93 lines

JILL MAXWELL MRS. TIDEWATER TO SHOOT FOR MRS. VIRGINIA CROWN

Before two years ago, Jill Maxwell, the reigning Mrs. Tidewater, had not competed in a pageant since she won the Little Miss Labanon Elementary School crown.

In 1995, in her first pageant since she was a Labanon, Va. first grader, she was named fourth runner up in the Mrs. Roanoke County pageant. In 1996, she was named the second runner in the Mrs. Hampton Roads pageant. Last July - after taking time off to give birth to her son Alexander - Maxwell was crowned Mrs. Tidewater.

When she's not taking care of her family and teaching a first-grade class at Churchland Elementary School, she's preparing for the Mrs. Virginia pageant.

``As a Mrs. Virginia contestant you have more than just the pageant to worry about,'' says Maxwell. ``You have your family, you have your children and you have your life.''

To prepare for the pageant, Maxwell exercises in the morning, reads positive-thinking books and chases her son all over the house.

Her husband, David, also helps her prepare by making sure she wakes up for her exercises, by taking care of Alex when he's needed, and by being supportive.

``David is very supportive. Mentally and physically - he is very encouraging,'' says Maxwell.

His support is more than just behind-the-scenes. During the pageant, he gets to escort Maxwell in the evening gown competition, and if she wins, he will be the one to crown her Mrs. Virginia.

Jill Maxwell's preparation for the pageant isn't all for pomp. She has to have a platform, a cause to support - LINKS (Linking Interests, Needs and Knowledge of Separate Generations).

According to Maxwell, LINKS is a way of bringing together separate generations. It involves programs like adopt-a-grandparent and adopt-a-nursing home.

Maxwell's first-grade class adopted Autumn Care Nursing Home on Airline Blvd., where she also volunteers her own time.

She also tried to encourage the youth group she leads with her husband at St. Andrews Presbyterian to adopt a nursing home. But they didn't feel comfortable with the idea. So, they volunteer at the soup kitchen in downtown Suffolk instead.

``I understand that people sometimes feel squeamish about nursing homes,'' says Maxwell. ``What I want to do is instill in them the desire to give to their community in a way that it is needed.''

If Maxwell wins the Mrs. Virginia pageant, she will advance to the Mrs. International pageant, in Texas.

Name: Jill Maxwell

Hometown: Bristol, N.C.

Place of Residence: We live in the Burbage Lake are of Suffolk.

Birth date: Aug. 15, 1969.

Occupation: Churchland Elementary School teacher.

Marital status: Married to David.

Children: 7-month-old son, Alexander.

Fondest childhood memory: Traveling around the country with my parents. We went everywhere. It was so much fun.

First concert: Kenny G.

Favorite book or most recently read book: ``The Power of Positive Thinking,'' by Norman Vincent Peale.

First job: I worked at a clothing boutique in Lynchburg so I could buy the clothes. I got a good discount.

Favorite movie: ``Steel Magnolias.''

Favorite TV show: ``Touched by an Angel''

Pet peeve: People who don't merge in the merging lane. It drives me crazy when people just stop instead of merge.

If you had 15 minutes on national TV, what would you say? I would talk about how you need to give of yourself, and live each moment to to fullest because you never know what will happen in the future.

What is the best advice you have ever been given and by whom? My third-grade teacher said, ``Identify your dreams and do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.''

Biggest accomplishment: It's a combination of graduating from college, and coming out in the top 5 the first year I competed in a pageant.

Most embarrassing moment: I have two pairs of the exact same pair of shoes in different colors. A month ago, I wore one blue shoe and one black shoe to school. The class didn't notice, but I noticed it while I was sitting in a faculty meeting at the end of the day.

What do you like most about yourself? The fact that I work so well around children. I relate well to children.

Perfect way to spend the day: Going to the beach with my husband and baby and then stopping by Amory's Wharf for dinner.

I can't resist: French fries.

Favorite restaurant: Amory's Wharf. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II

Mrs. Tidewater, Jill Maxwell, lives in the Burbage Lakes area of

Suffolk.

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