Distinguished Young Women Teams Up with Tween Summit

Distinguished Young Women continues its committment to empower young women through its upcoming affiliation with the AlleyKatzz Tween Summit at New York University on October 10. Madison Leonard, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2010, will be a celebrity guest for the event, which will include Tween Girl Summit Sessions, activities for parents, DenimMessaging and a Red Carpet & Kicking Daisies Concet event.

This year marks the second summit for the organization and Distinguished Young Women is happy to have been involved with both events.

Find out more about the event by visiting the event website at www.TweenSummit.com.

Distinguished Young Women Connection

Check out this month's newsletter! With reminders to vote in the Pepsi Challenge, a Class of 2011 introduction and a special feature about the website rennovations, you don't want to miss this exciting edition!  Check it out!

Help Us Win $250K!

Distinguished Young Women is in the running to win a $250K grant from Pepsi but we need your votes to win. Vote now and every day until August 31.

Idaho's Madison Leonard is the First
Distinguished Young Woman of America!

America's Junior Miss is now Distinguished Young Women and recently Idaho's Madison Leonard became the first Distinguished Young Woman of America. Madison is a graduate of Coeur d'Alene High School and will attend Pepperdine University to study journalism in the fall. She won a total of $41,000 in cash scholarships during tonight's competition. See other scholarship recipients here.

Look for updates to come as we make the transitions to our new name.

How Smart is the Class of 2010?

More than half of the members of the Class of 2010 earned a 30 or higher on their ACTs and the average gpa is over a 4.0!

AJM Presents Preliminary Awards

The 53rd AJM National Preliminaries are complete and nineteen young women won awards during the two nights of competition. See more.

 Official Lily of AJM

Boehm Porcelain cordially invites the program participants, their family and friends, & AJM alumna 20% off of your purchase of the Junior Miss Daylily or Daylily Arrangement. America’s Junior Miss Daylily was exclusively designed by Boehm Porcelain Symbolizing: “Statement of Style and Scholarship” Your donation will directly support the Scholarship Program’s continued mission Assisting in the education of these outstanding, talented young women Striving to possess the qualities and character that will shape the future world. Download the order form here.

AJM Class of 2010 Enjoying Mobile

The AJM Class of 2010 have been busy since arriving in Mobile. Between rehearsals, enjoying lots of food and meeting adoring Girl Scout Troops, host sisters and brothers, and others from the community, its pretty safe to say that these girls are enjoying every moment.

Interested in knowing what the members of the AJM Class of 2010 are up to in Mobile? Be sure to visit the sites of our media partners, www.local15tv.com and www.al.com. Also, browse and order your favorite photos from www.fusionpointmedia.com.

AJM to Update Name and Image to Remove Misconceptions

America's Junior Miss is getting a makeover! Together with Marshall Strategy, our volunteers and past participants, AJM is unvelining a new name and story that we feel more accurately tells who we are without creating misconceptions about our program. To read more visit www.ajm.org/branding or read the full press release here.

AJM will reveal its new name during the 53rd National Finals on Saturday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m. cst. Watch live at www.local15tv.com.

Celebrate National Be Your Best Self Week

Join in the celebration! AJM celebrates National Be Your Best Self Week on April 12-16, 2010. Thousands of young people will learn about the programs positive messages of self esteem, healthy living, and personal excellence as Junior Misses across the country visit Boys & Girls Clubs, elementary schools and ohter civic organizations to share the program.

Find out more about National Be Your Best Self Week!

See photos of Junior Misses at Boys & Girls Clubs this week!

AJM Connection - March

Check out this month's AJM Connection to see what AJM's been up to lately, read a special message from Michelle Rodgers (AJM 2009) and get to know a few of AJM's National Board of Directors.

Merchandise Clearance

AJM is cleaning out its merchandise! All items are marked down as far as they will go! Visit our the AJM Store to see these amazing price

AJM Rocks

AJM hosted the 2nd annual 7th on the Hill Fashion Events on March 3, 2010. Rock the Ages showcased the latest styles for Mobile's women  while Rock the Runway gave Mobile teenagers and their dads a glimpse of what styles are in for spring and summer. Together the two events raised $25,000. Read more.

AJM Joins Football Stars in Mobile

Michelle Rodgers, AJM 2009, joined the top senior college football players from 2009 for the Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile on January 30. Michelle was a special guest at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, joined the players for patient visits at the USA Women's & Children's Hospital, and participated in the pre-game ceremonies.

Michelle is pictured right with LaBarron McClendon of Mobile Gas - A Sempra Company, one of AJM's national sponsors. LaBarron sits on the national board of directors for AJM.

Michelle Starts Off New Year in Mobile

Michelle Rodgers, AJM 2009, started off 2010 right with a visit to Mobile to take part in the GMAC Bowl game and activities. She joined players from Troy University and the University of Central Michigan at USA Women's and Children's Hospital where they visited patients. Then Michelle learned how to "bet on the dog" during Media Night at Greyhound Park and braved the uncharacteristically freezing temperatures to get a sneak peak at Mobile's Mardi Gras season during the Greer's Food Tiger Parade through downtown.

Michelle took part in the pre-game festivities and sang God Bless America prior to the fourth quarter of the GMAC Bowl game. She will return to Mobile later this month to take part in the Under Armour Senior Bowl.

Read all about Michelle's experience in Mobile at www.americasjuniormiss.blogspot.com.

Mobile Community Helps Raise Funds for AJM

Members of the Mobile community came out to support AJM during the 2nd Annual Sunday Night Sensation and the AJM Tennis Classic.

The 2nd Annual Sunday Night Sensation at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse took place on Sunday November 8. Local celebrities waited tables, Chef Filippo Milone cooked up a special treat, and past Junior Miss participants joined Michelle Rogers, AJM 2009, to provide entertainment for the guests.

On Thursday, November 11, female tennis players from the Mobile area gathered at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center for the AJM Tennis Classic sponsored by Wintzell's Oyster House. More than 50 ladies participated and Mobile City Council President, Reggie Copeland, served as the Honorary Chairman.

Dates for both events will soon be confirmed for next year. If you would like to learn how you can take part in these future events, please contact Emily Ann Tatum at 251.438.3621 or emilyann@ajm.org.

Michelle Visits Mobile for Veterans' Day

Michelle Rogers, AJM 2009, visited Mobile recently to celebrate Veterans' Day, but found herself in the middle of a storm shortly after her arrival. Lucky enough, the tropical system known as "Ida" fizzled out before making landfall on the Gulf Coast, bringing nothing more than a little bit of rain and wind, and leaving beautiful skies for the Veterans' Day celebrations!

Michelle rode in the Veterans' Day Parade through downtown Mobile and spoke to elementary school children about being their best selves during the Freedom Celebration at the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship. She also attended a luncheon during which Alabama Govenor Bob Riley was honored as the Patriot of the Year. The Mobile Veterans' Day Commission hosted the annual events in honor of those who have served our country through the armed services.

AJM Headquarters Welcomes Emily Ann Tatum

Emily Ann Tatum joined the AJM National Staff in October as the new Development Director. She is responsible for sponsor and community relations and supervises all funding plans for the AJM National Headquarters.

During high school, Emily Ann was a finalist in Alabama's Junior Miss Program when she represented Dale County, and has since served the program as a judge, performer, emcee, volunteer, and now employee.

Emily Ann received a B.S. in Public Reltions from Auburn University where she served as a Senator for the College of Liberal Arts and was an Auburn University Cheerleader.

Read more about Emily Ann or send her an email to welcome her to the AJM family!

FaceBook Shares AJM News and Videos

AJM is online! Be sure to visit AJM's FaceBook page to see the latest news articles, photos and videos about the AJM Class of 2009. Also, check out AJM videos on YouTube!

AJM Connection - After Finals Edition

The AJM Connection - After Finals Edition is ready for viewing. With a special photo scrapbook of the AJM Class of 2009 and your opportunity to meet Michelle Rogers, AJM 2009, the AJM Connection is your source for the greatest and latest news and information.Check it out now!

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Kentucky's Michelle Rodgers is America's Junior Miss 2009

Michelle Rodgers of Winchester, Kentucky, won the title of America's Junior Miss 2009 during the 52nd AJM National Finals on Saturday, June 27. Rodgers also won preliminary awards in self expression and interview, brining her total winnings to $52,000 in cash scholarships.

Rodgers is the daughter of Paul and Karen Rodgers. Michelle plans to attend Northwestern University in the fall to pursue a degree in international studies and theater.

Photographs

Check out photographs of the AJM Class of 2009 during their two weeks in Mobile for the 52nd AJM National Finals. Visit www.fusionpointmedia.com and click View Photos to be directed to the gallery page. Then select the year to view all of the event folders. See several options for ordering, including the option to download a photo to your computer.