Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Coming Home Proud II - September 29, 1991

The military had another welcome home party for our returning troops. This time, in the Hampton Coliseum for Coming Home Proud II.
Hey, so now I can say I performed in the Hampton Coliseum!

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Oceana Naval Air Show - September 21, 1991

We had a blast at this year's Oceana Naval Air Station show.
Our show was out on the flight line.
Meeting a few dignitaries. L-R: Tracy, me, Stessie and Christine.
I also was interviewed on 106.9 The FOX about our U.S.O. Troupe.

After this helicopter shot, we got to go over to see the Stealth Bomber. It was the first time it was being publicly viewed. Unfortunately, Gail has those photos!

We got to hang out with the Royal Air Force and have a few "chocolate lazers." They were hysterical! They let me "fly" their plane - "The Empire Strikes Back!"

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Annapolis Naval Academy - September 14, 1991

We were invited to perform at the Annapolis Naval Academy for End of Summer Plebes. It was a great adventure for all of us. I wish I had more pictures and video from that weekend. It was crazy fun! This is Tracy and I standing outside the Naval Academy. They used to call us Mutt and Jeff. I wonder why?

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Kings Dominion Family Day - September 2, 1991

We headed back to Kings Dominion for another Family Day over Labor Day Weekend.

Scooby also helped us celebrate the U.S.O.'s 50th Birthday at this private reception.

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - U.S.S. Eisenhower Dependents Day Cruise - August 31, 1991

It's sooo early and we're just arriving at the U.S.S. Eisenhower for the D-Day cruise. We are going to be performing for the families in the hangar area.
Cathy and I made our way up to the flight deck for this fabulous photo!

Miss Virginia U.S.O. Troupe - Hampton Roads Show - August 17, 1991

We performed in Hampton. It was one of Miss Virginia, Sheri Huffman's, last shows before she left for Atlantic City and Miss America.
They let me take this shot in the helicopter.
Tami (Miss VA 1989) and I after the show.

Miss Virginia U.S.O. Troupe - Coast Guard Picnic - August 3, 1991

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Ft. Eustis Show - July 27, 1991

It's just a couple of weeks after Miss Virginia and the new Miss Virginia, Sheri Huffman joins us for the day.

Miss Virginia America Pageant - July 20, 1991

Miss Colonial Heights - at the Miss Virginia America Pageant. Opening number - "Night and Day."
Performing my talent "Unchained Melody." Evening Gown.
I had a rough week that week - I had just had all four wisdom teeth taken out two weeks before state. I had lost so much weight, I was 100 pounds at Miss Virginia. Believe me, I didn't want to be! Nothing fit - it was nightmare. My gown had to be pinned to my pantyhose so it would stay up! I also caught a bunch of flack every time we'd go somewhere to eat. I was eating like crazy because it was the first solid food I'd had! Some people were making comments like, "You're so skinny and eating so much. What are you doing? Throwing up in your room?" My Director got SO MAD! I just kicked her under the table and continued, "Nope. I'm enjoying eating so much, I think I'll have another piece of cake. Do you want that?" That shut them up! LOL! In the end, my Directors were told afterwards that there was a tie for 10th spot and I was one of the three - but I didn't get the spot. Oh well. That was tough to hear, but also encouraging. I was proud to be there!

Miss Virginia U.S.O. Troupe - Coming Home Proud I - July 4, 1991

Patrick Henry Airport (now Newport News International Airport) was shut down for the day so that Virginia could have a huge celebration welcoming home our troops from Desert Storm. It was called Coming Home Proud I. We were thrilled to be invited to perform. Especially since that meant we opened for Air Force One, Ashford & Simpson, Jerry Seinfeld and Hall & Oates! WOW!!!!!
Front L-R: Stessie, Tami (Miss VA 1989), me & Caroline - our coordinator; Back L-R: Cherise, Tracy, Stacy, Cathy, Tonya & Christine

The irony of it is, I opened for Jerry Seinfeld. All these years later, after meeting my husband, I found out that his father sold Jerry a couple of his Porsches! Small world. Would this be 3 degrees of Kevin Bacon?
Here we are later with Daryl Hall. He kind of didn't know which way to look so we had to tell him...

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - Yellow Ribbon Day at Busch Gardens - May 17, 1991

We participated in the Yellow Ribbon Day festivities at Busch Gardens.
John Denver was there shooting video that day and we got to meet him during one of his breaks. He was very nice.

Here we are later that evening in the Festhaus with C.M.C. Deveny.

Miss Virginia U.S.O. - U.S.O. 50th Anniversary Gala - March 16, 1991

Miss Colonial Heights 1991 - March 9, 1991

After winning the interview award, the Jay Mallory talent award and the swimsuit award, I thought that I still was cursed with First Runner-Up! However, as you can see, I did win the title of Miss Colonial Heights 1991. I found out later I won evening gown as well. My interview was taken as an example to use at the Miss North Carolina America workshop! I was so excited! What a great birthday present! My birthday was that coming Monday the 11th!
Miss Virginia, Shannon DePue, made an "unofficial appearance" just to come cheer me on. It meant so much to look out there and see Shannon and Margaret Brown - the Miss Lynchburg Director, cheering for me. L-R: the NEW Miss Colonial Heights 1991, Kimberly J. White; Miss August County, Tracy Lippard; My Dad, Charles White and Miss Virginia 1990, Shannon DePue.

My Dad congratulating me on all of my hard work. I couldn't have done it without him and my Mom.