Lawrence, Grippo win pageants in E. Panhandle

February 25, 2002|By MEG H. PARTINGTON

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Tiffany Elizabeth Lawrence was crowned Miss Shenandoah and Sheri Lynn Grippo was crowned Miss Jefferson County on Saturday night at Wright Denny Intermediate School in Charles Town.

Lawrence, 19, a sophomore at Shepherd College, sang "Home." She is the daughter of Tony and Cheryl Lawrence of Shepherdstown, W.Va.

"I'm shaking," she said immediately after the crowning.

Grippo, 20, a sophomore at West Virginia University, performed a dramatic monologue titled "Molly." She is the daughter of Mario and Doris Grippo of Charles Town.

"I'm very excited and hungry," she said after being crowned.

Lawrence received her crown from Allison Renee Williams, Miss Shenandoah 2001.

Grippo received her crown from Miss West Virginia Danae DeMasi.

Lawrence received a $4,500 scholarship, a $500 scholarship from the Shepherd College Foundation and the chance to participate in the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant June 20-22 at Robert C. Byrd High School in Clarksburg, W.Va.

Grippo received a $4,500 scholarship, a $500 scholarship from the Shepherd College Foundation and the chance to participate in the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Pageant.

The first runner-up was Sarah Spurgas, 21, a freshman at Shepherd College. The daughter of Joe and Ann Spurgas of Shepherdstown, W.Va., she performed Latin ballet/jazz to "El Chocoo."

She received a $1,500 scholarship.

The second runner-up was Shannon Harmony Tobias, 17, a senior at Martinsburg High School. The daughter of Ralph and Eileen Tobias of Martinsburg, W.Va., she sang "Through the Eyes of a Child."

She received a $1,000 scholarship.

Lisa Michelle DeGrave, 18, a sophomore at Shepherd College, won the Gilbert C. Mobley Memorial Award for interview. She is the daughter of Jeanne and Sgt. 1st Class Dale DeGrave of Kearneysville, W.Va.

DeGrave won a $200 scholarship.

Devon Dickson, 22, a student at Hagerstown Business College, won the Kevin G. Johnson Memorial Award for talent. She sang "And I Am Telling You." She is the daughter of John and Barbara Dickson of Martinsburg, W.Va.

All other nonfinalists received $200 scholarships.

Eight contestants competed for the pair of crowns.

The theme for Saturday's pageant was "An Enchanted Evening of Glitz and Glamour."

Chris Barnes was master of ceremonies.

Performers included DeMasi, Williams, Donna Roman, Krista McGee, Dawn Mills, Jeremy Barger and members of Loose Grooves.

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