CULLMAN — Cullman County’s representative for the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman (formerly Alabama Junior Miss) Program is 17-year-old Jordan Paige Harrison of Bremen. Jordan attends Corner High School, where she ranked number one in her senior class, and is a member of the National Honor Society (2010 – present). Jordan maintains a 4.23/4.0 GPA, while working part-time at Rue21 in Jasper as a sales associate, which may seem daunting to some people.

“I have to prioritize,” she explained. “I do the most important things first, try not to waste time and stay organized.” She attended Bevill State Community College during the summers of 2009 and 2010, where her GPA was 4.0, and was in the fall program at Wallace State Community College in 2011, with yet again a prestigious 4.0 GPA.

She was chosen to represent Corner High School at Girls  State in 2011. Jordan also claimed the title of Corner High School’s Junior Miss Yellow Jacket in 2010, and Miss Yellow Jacket in 2012. Jordan had the opportunity to be a part of the Shadowing Program at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.

“I have been very fortunate to have been introduced to some extraordinary doctors at Children’s Hospital of Alabama,” said Jordan. “My first shadowing experience with Dr. Kathy Monroe couldn’t have been better. Dr. Monroe and the staff in the E.R. made sure that I had an opportunity to be exposed to many different medical dilemmas. The experience helped me to affirm my decision to become a physician.

“After the E.R. I added the operating room to my experiences. Dr. David Joseph, Pediatric Urologist, allowed me to shadow in a clinical setting, as well as in the O.R. on multiple occasions,” said Jordan. “This experience has allowed me to see the overwhelming obstacles that some children face everyday. It has made me determined to help as many of them as I can.”

“After working with Dr. Joseph, I have begun to seriously consider urology as a specialty,” she added.

While in high school Jordan has served as National Junior Beta Club Chaplin (2007-2008) National Senior Beta Club (2008-Present) and Senior Beta Club Vice President (2010-2012).

She also headed a fundraiser for the Locks of Love Organization for the Corner High School Beta Club in 2010, and volunteered as a performer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fundraiser in 2007, the Ronald McDonald House Fundraiser in 2007, and has performed for numerous assisted living homes in Alabama from 2007-2009.

Jordan volunteered her time as a performer for the Children’s Miracle Network Fundraisers in 2008 and 2010 and for Children’s Hospital of Birmingham in 2010. Jordan also found time to volunteer at the Locks of Love Headquarters in West Palm Beach, Fla., in 2010 and at the Mission of Hope with FCCLA in 2011.

Jordan was a member of a mission trip with First Baptist Church of Mt. Olive, to Wakulla County, Florida in 2011. “I felt very fortunate to have been able to do such simple things and bring such pleasure,” said Jordan. “The elderly citizens that we assisted were so grateful, and we quickly became attached to them and them to us. They have so much knowledge and wisdom to offer. As a society, we often forget that, but I believe that I gained more from the experience than I gave.”

In her free time Jordan enjoys spending time with her family and friends. A talented singer/songwriter, Jordan sang her first solo in church at the age of five. Her love of music may have come from her grandfather, Coy Harrison, who played country music for the toddler. 

“I actually enjoy school, too, and learning, so I find enjoyment in that, and I very much enjoy writing, playing guitar and performing.”

 Jordan began her life with some physical limitations that might have prevented a less determined person from accomplishing her dream of singing on stage. Suffering from frequent ear infections and from a speech impediment as a young child, she had surgery to correct her problems and today has a lovely voice.

“I always thank God for giving me the abilities and the drive to help others,” she commented. “My family gives me support and constructive criticism to help me be successful.”

In July of 2006, Jordan preformed three one-hour shows at the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Since then she has rapidly gained notoriety across the South and has earned herself a long list of credits, among which are singing at the Nashville Cowboy Church, Birmingham World of Wheels, and as the feature entertainer at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, all of which had several hundred people in attendance. 

Jordan has released two CDs, titled “Just Startin' Out” and “Made Ya Look” which are available on her website.

Yet one of her most rewarding performances wasn’t in the spotlight, it was visiting and performing at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. “It is extremely rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of those children,” she said. “Some of them rarely see much outside the walls of a hospital or their home, so a visitor who is there just for them really excites them. Their parents always seem so appreciative. Oftentimes, the parents come to hear me even when their children are too sick to leave their hospital room — it’s a welcome break for them, as well.”

Jordan has been accepted to the University of South Alabama, where she plans to major in Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med. “The medical school has a great reputation and focuses on clinical experiences,” she explained. “Being away from my family for nine days of the Distinguished Young Women Program is a great preview for moving five hours away to college,” she smiled.

As this year’s Distinguished Young Woman of Cullman County, Jordan earned $3,600 in total cash tuition scholarships to college of her choice ($2,500 as overall winner, $600 as scholastic winner, and $500 as talent winner). The scholarship also includes dual enrollment tuition scholarship to Wallace State Community College and a six-month membership to Cullman Wellness and Aquatics Center.

Jordan is about to embark on yet another adventure. On Friday she leaves for Montgomery to compete for the title of Alabama’s Distinguished Young Woman of 2012. She will compete with 50 other contestants. Over $50,000 will be awarded in cash tuition scholarships and over 2 million dollars in college granted scholarships. The competition will be held on Jan. 20-21, 2012, at the Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery.

She says she isn’t nervous, but rather excited and thrilled to meet talented and intelligent young women from all across the state. “I have a wonderful host family and a great housemate, Lauren Killough of Atauga County,” she said enthusiastically. “I look forward to spending time with them.”

Jordan will perform a song for which she composed both lyrics and music, titled “You Broke My Heart.”

“I expect to have fun, make lifelong friends, learn something new and earn scholarship money. I really need the scholarship money,” she laughed.

She will spend the week as the guest of a host family, beginning Friday, Jan. 13. Notes and cards of encouragement can be sent to Jordan at the following address, Jordan Harrison c/o Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bird, 8421 Chadburn Crossing, Montgomery, AL  36116.

Official florist for Distinguished Young Woman is Covent Garden Floral & Gifts, 7940 Vaughan Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 (334-277-4200 or 800-239-1411)

 Her parents, Gregory and Darlene Harrison are understandably proud.

Cullman’s Local Program is planned for June 2, 2012, at Wallace State Community College. An informational meeting is planned for early March. High school counselors will be notified. Interested girls and especially junior girls should contact their high school guidance counselor or Local Chairman, Patty Grier at 256-734-8184 or at cullman@distinguishedyw.org.

For more information on this scholarship program for senior girls visit the official website at www.DistinguishedYW.org.

You can also visit Jordan’s website at www.jordanharrison.biz.