By Tiffany Green

STAFF WRITER

The Cullman County Junior Miss Program will be June Saturday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Wallace State College auditorium. The program is a scholarship program which awards scholarships money to the winner as well as to the first runner up, the overall scholastic winner, overall talent winner, overall fitness winner, overall self-expression winner and the Spirit of Junior Miss award winner.

There will be six contestants. The program recognizes young women who have distinguished themselves in their school and community.

Contestants are judged in the five areas of fitness, self expression, talent, interview and scholastic achievements.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8 from any of the contestants or at the Cullman County Museum and $10 at the door.

The winner will move on to the state competition on January 8-17, 2010 in Montgomery.

For more information on the Junior Miss Program, visit www.ajm.org.

Rebecca Cape

Daughter of Jim and Beth Cape of Cullman

Cullman High School

Activities: Southern Yearbook staff, “A” honor roll, Redstone’s GEMS-engineering, math and science camp, national honor society, First Baptist Church Chapel Choir, vice president of Spanish Club

Talent: “Popular” from the Broadway musical “Wicked”

Rebecca plans to attend Vanderbilt University and become a kindergarten teacher.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

I remember being in the audience if a Jr. Miss Program in the third grade, wanting nothing more than to be just exactly like those girls on stage. Now that I’m able to participate, I have a few concerns about actually pulling through. I can think of a million reasons not to participate; who knows if I can do it? Sometimes you have to take on challenges just to prove to yourself and the world that odds stacked against you only make for a more interesting climb. After the lure of personal grandeur and scholarship money, I decided to become a contestant to show girls everywhere that imperfections is not an excuse to stifle ambition.

Yurika Chiba

Daughter of Hiroshi and Toshiko Chiba

Cullman High School

Activities: National Honor Society, French Club, Leo Club, ballet, piano and softball.

Talent: Piano- “Sakura-Sakura” excerpt by Kozaburo Y. Hirai and “Maple Leaf Rag” excerpt by Scott Joplin

Yuika plans to become a teacher or obtain a degree in international business.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

At first, I was hesitant to participant in the Jr. Miss Program. But then, I realized that it is a once in a lifetime experience and would be a great opportunity to challenge myself with something new.

Jordan Elizabeth Johnson

Daughter of Kevin and Amy Johnson

Cullman High School

Activities: Junior Class secretary, student government association representative, national honor society, 2009-2010 dance line captain, represented Cullman High School and the Alabama Youth Leadership Program and JSU Emerging Leaders Day, voted Most Likely to Succeed by peers.

Talent: Lyrical dance to “What a Wonderful World” by Celine Dion

Jordan plans to attend Auburn University or The University of Tennessee and major in journalism or secondary education.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

My decision to participate in the Jr. Miss Program was primarily based on the many positive experiences relayed to me by friends who have previously participated. The Jr. Miss Program is a wonderful event that opens opportunities to girls wishing to further their education, better their community and be their best self. I truly believe in the impact that this program has and I’m extremely excited to be participating.

Hannah Leigh McReath

Daughter of Allen and Cindy McReath

West Point High School

Activities: Student Council Parliamentarian, FFA reporter, all county junior varsity volleyball team, fair queen first runner-up, FCCLA and Spanish Club.

Talent: Piano, “Under the Double Eagle” composed by J.F. Wagner

Hannah plans to attend The University of Alabama in Birmingham and obtain a degree in education and become a high school math teacher.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

When I heard about this program, I thought to myself that this would be a wonderful experience to be involved with. It would provide me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet people and make friends. Furthermore, this program gives me the chance to further my education with the scholarship money that can be earned. This program is a positive experience for young women to make a great impact on the world.

Steffany LaShae Means

Daughter of Richard Means and Christy Hitt

Holly Pond High School

Activities: Key Club, student government, homecoming committee chairman, junior class secretary, majorette

Talent: Baton routine to an arrangement of pop hits.

Steffany plans to complete a degree from Troy University in the career field of pediatric oncology.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

The reason I got involved in the Jr. Miss Program is because it is a great way to express ourselves along with each of our different personalities. Also, the program is a great, fun, exciting way to try and earn scholarships.

Katelyn Gail Sides

Daughter of Steve and Kathy Sides

Cullman High School

Activities: Member of national honor society, member of German Club in tenth grade, member of comprehensive math team, dance line, Leo Club and Symphonic band

Talent: Instrumental, alto saxophone, “Sonatina” by Mozart

Katelyn’s plans to attend either UCLA, University of Alabama or Auburn University and pursue a degree in acting, instructor, attorney or investigator.

Why did you decide to become involved in the Junior Miss Program?

I have decided to participate in the Jr. Miss Program because I am so proud of the community I have grown up in and it would be an honor to represent this community. Cullman is a town that has given so much and to give back what it has given to me would be a blessing. Junior Miss is also an opportunity I’m not willing to let slip by me because of all the life lessons I can learn from participating in this program.