For Immediate Release

Contact: Heather Rocker, Chairperson, Georgia's Junior Miss Program
Phone: 678.778.5152
Fax: 770.475.2870
E-mail: hsrocker@gmail.com

Georgia's Junior Miss Names Scholarship Winners for Class of 2009

Sixteen rising seniors from across Georgia competed for a share of $11,400 in college scholarships at the 51st annual State Finals for Georgia's Junior Miss Scholarship Program held Saturday at the Center for Performing & Visual Arts in Newan.

Representing Bartow County, Abbey Hufstetler of Cartersville earned the title of Georgia's Junior Miss for the Class of 2009 and $5,900 in cash scholarships in addition to several full-tuition scholarships made available to state Junior Miss winners from universities throughout the nation. Hufstetler will represent Georgia in the America's Junior Miss National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, next June, where she will have the opportunity to win a share of more than $150,000 in cash scholarships.

Hufstetler attends Woodland High School and serves as the Senior Class Vice-President. She is a District and State Officer for 4-H, National Honor Society Member, Chairman of the Superintendent's Advisory Council, Member of the Youth Choir at Tabernacle Baptist, and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society) Member. Hufstetler is also involved in the Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership program, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Cartersville City Ballet. She was selected to attend the Governor's Honors program in 2007 for Communicative Arts. Hufstetler plans to use her scholarship money to study Public Relations or Broadcast Journalism at the University of Georgia.

Additional scholarship winners:
The 1st runner-up, Carly Gill of Upson County, received a $1,500 cash scholarship. Haylee DeLoach of Milledgeville was the 2nd runner-up, receiving a $1,000 cash scholarship.

Scholastics winners were Mariah Sappington of Houston County, Chelsea Smith of Coweta County, and Abbey Hufstetler of Bartow County. Each received a $300 cash scholarship award.

Talent winners were Lauren Head of Laurens County, Carly Gill of Upson County, and Abbey Hufstetler of Bartow County. Each received a $300 cash scholarship award.

Fitness winners were Anna Hobbs of Newnan, Haylee DeLoach of Milledgeville, and Lauren Head of Laurens County. Each received a $300 cash scholarship award.

Self-Expression winners were Gina Stanfield of Lee County, Carly Gill of Upson County, and Abbey Hufstetler of Bartow County. Each received a $300 cash scholarship award.

A special recognition award for the program was presented to Kelly Glass of Dougherty County. Selected by her fellow participants, Glass was awarded the Spirit of Junior Miss $300 scholarship for best exemplifying the qualities of a Junior Miss.

The Georgia's Junior Miss Class of 2009 included: Sara Colley (Thomaston), Camille Cox (Dublin), Haylee DeLoach (Milledgeville), Beth Dotson (Cherokee County), Carly Gill (Upson County), Kelly Glass (Dougherty County), Lauren Harbor (Jones County), Lauren Head (Laurens County), Anna Hobbs (Newan), Abbey Hufstetler (Bartow County), Jennifer Jones (Leesburg), Mariah Sappington (Houston County), Lauri Saunders (Colquitt County), Chelsey Scoggins (Baldwin County), Chelsea Smith (Coweta County), and Gina Stanfield (Lee County).

These young ladies spent the week of State Finals interviewing, rehearsing, volunteering in the community, attending personal development workshops, and enjoying the camaraderie of their fellow Junior Miss participants. On Wednesday, July 23rd, the girls participated in Junior Miss "Day of Caring" which included a visit to the Savannah Court Assisted Living Residences and Angel House. Participants were also trained to deliver the "Be Your Best Self" message to their communities. The "Be Your Best Self" program is a nationwide outreach aimed primarily at influencing young people around five elements that include: be healthy, be involved, be studious, be ambitious, and be responsible.

The 2007 - 2008 National Sponsors for AJM are the City of Mobile and Mobile County. Category sponsors are Alabama Power, Encore Rehabilitation, Mobile Gas, Regions Bank, and Wintzell's Oyster House. For more information on AJM, call (800) 256-5435 or visit the AJM Web site at www.ajm.org.

~GJM~