Over the past six weeks, nine Lincoln County High School senior girls have concentrated on preparing for the program through countless hours of practices, mock interviews, talent reviews, talent rehearsals, costume fittings and dress rehearsals.
A total of $17,000 in cash scholarships and approximately $376,900 in college-offered scholarships is up for grabs in the program. The winner of the 2009 Lincoln County Junior Miss title will receive a $4,000 cash scholarship plus an expense allowance for the state competition. The first runner-up will receive a $3,000 cash scholarship and the second runner-up gets $2,000.
Participants vying for the cash and college-offered scholarships will be evaluated in five categories: scholastic achievement — 20 percent; judges' interview — 25 percent; talent — 25 percent; fitness — 15 percent; and self-expression — 15 percent.
Since the Junior Miss Program, which is held annually on local, state and national levels, is a scholastic program, the top academic achievers will be rewarded. A $1,000 cash scholarship will be presented to the overall scholastic achievement winner. In addition, two runner-up awards of $525 each will also be presented.
Three awards will be presented in each of the preliminary events, with $500 each for the judges' interview and talent winners and $325 each for fitness and self-expression preliminary winners.
A $500 Spirit of Junior Miss Award and a $500 Jennifer Baker "Be Your Best Self" Award will also be presented.
The 2009 Junior Miss candidates, their parents and talents are: Nicolette Coontz, daughter of Dwight and Patty Coontz of Stanford, theatrical vocal; Sydney Folger, daughter of Curt and Melissa Folger of Stanford, piano; Alexis Gooch, daughter of Doug and Tracy Gooch of Stanford and Sherry and Shane Young of Lancaster, acrobatic dance; Sara Jackson, daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Jackson of Hustonville, monologue; Hilary Long, daughter of Sherri and Tony Long of Stanford, monologue; Kayla Mercer, daughter of Etta Burton of Kings Mountain, dance; Emily Pearl, daughter of Rhonda and Harold Tokle of Crab Orchard and Robert Pearl of Lexington, vocal performance; Sarah Rowe, daughter of Mark and Janet Rowe of Waynesburg, poetry; and Mindy Shelley, daughter of Jerry and Linda Shelley of Waynesburg, poetry.
Tickets for the 2009 Junior Miss Program are $7. Advanced orders may be placed by calling Stuart or Sheila Underwood at 365-9782. Tickets available the night of the program will be sold at the box office window beginning at 6:15. Doors will open at 6:30.
