BATCHER NAMED MISS NORFOLK 2004

Amanda Batcher of Norfolk, a senior majoring in musical theatre at Old Dominion University, recently was named Miss Norfolk 2004, a Miss America pageant preliminary.

She will compete in the Miss Virginia Pageant June 24-26 in Roanoke. Community involvement is a key component of the program and each contestant has a platform issue to which they are committed. Batcher's platform is M.U.S.I.C. -- Music Uplifts Schools, Individuals and Communities -- which includes visiting area schools and encouraging students to become involved in music.

The Miss America Organziation is the largest scholarship organization for women in the world, awarding more than $45 million per year.