NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassidy Grimes, Public Relations Director
251.622.5335 (office) cassidy@ajm.org

2009 Junior Misses Compete in Oyster Eating Contest

After a long weekend of rehearsing for the 52nd National Finals, the America’s Junior Miss Class of 2009 contestants are preparing themselves for a different kind of competition – the annual AJM Oyster Eating Contest at Wintzell’s Oyster House on Dauphin Street.

The young women will compete on Monday to see who can suck down the most raw oysters. Many of them will try the slimy Southern treat for the first time. The girls will also enjoy lunch at Mobile’s most famous restaurant. The competition and lunch will take place from 11:45 to 12:45.

On Monday evening, the participants will enjoy AJM Night at the Hank during which they will throw the fifty first pitches of the game and sing the National Anthem. Prior to the game, the Junior Misses will be joined by their adopted Girl Scouts of America Troops for the first ever AJM/BayBears Field Parade of States.

All media are invited to attend both events.

The 50 contestants will compete for a share of $125,000 in college scholarships and the title of America’s Junior Miss at the 52st Annual National Finals June 25, 26 & 27. The program will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. June 27 on WPMI-TV 15's Web site, www.nbc15online.com. National sponsors for 2009 are the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama Power, Encore Rehabilitation, Mobile Gas, and Regions Bank. America’s Junior Miss (AJM) is the nation’s oldest and largest scholarship program for college-bound high school senior women. The program, headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, began in 1958 and has since awarded more than $90 million in college scholarships at the local, state, and national levels. Over 700,000 young women from all over the country have participated in Junior Miss programs. AJM is proud to have the assistance of more than 17,000 volunteers throughout the United States, who help to make the Junior Miss program successful at the local and state levels.

For more information, please contact Cassidy Grimes, AJM Public Relations Director, at 251-622-5335 or cassidy@ajm.org, or visit www.ajm.org.

~AJM~