In The Beginning
In 1958, the Junior Chamber of Commerce held the first national Junior Miss program in Mobile, Alabama, with representatives from 18 states. Phyllis A. Whitenack of West Virginia became America’s Junior Miss and received $5,000 in cash scholarships.

Fifty Years
In 2007, America’s Junior Miss celebrated its 50th anniversary in Mobile with
representatives from all fifty states. Nora Ali of Minnesota became the 50th America’s Junior Miss and received more than $50,000 in cash scholarships.

Famous Faces
AJM is proud to have helped many young women receive an education and become successful in their chosen careers. Diane Sawyer, Deborah Norville, Kim Basinger, and Debra Messing are just a few of our well known Junior Misses, but many others have achieved success in various professions such as business, law, journalism, medicine and religion.

AJM vs. Pageant
AJM is a scholarship program that promotes education and excellence in all areas of life. Unlike pageants, AJM encourages young women to be confident in who they are and to strive to reach their goals and become successful leaders in our communities. Instead of a crown and sash, AJMs receive a medallion to symbolize their achievements within the classroom and extracurricular activities.

Evaluation Process
Contestants are evaluated in five categories:
  Interview 25%
  Talent 25%
  Scholastics 20%
  Self-Expression 15%
  Fitness 15%

Be Your Best Self
America’s Junior Miss promotes the Be Your Best Self program, which encourages self esteem and healthy lifestyles. Junior Misses share the BYBS message with young people all over the country to promote the seven elements of the program: getting a good education, community service, proper nutrition, staying fit, living by moral principles, setting goals, and striving to reach those goals.

Facts & Figures
AJM continues to impact lives of people across the nation. Just look at the numbers! 

• AJM has awarded more than $90 MILLION in cash scholarships at all levels of the program
• More than 700,000 women across the nation were participants in a Junior Miss
  program at either the local, state, or national level.
• Each year over 17,000 individuals volunteer to make the Junior Miss program
  successful at all levels.
• More than $2 million in cash scholarships was awarded at the local, state and
  national levels last year.
• Nearly 200 colleges and universities award college-granted scholarships for AJMs who attend their institutions, and more are coming on board each year.
• AJM offered more than $150,000 in cash scholarships to participants in the 2007 AJM
  National Finals.
• Over 300 AJM National Finalists attend nationally acclaimed colleges and
  universities.