MOUNT VERNON — The weeklong 2008 Ohio’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program kicked off at The Alcove on Monday, as the 17 contestants had lunch with the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club.
Cheri Butcher, OJM contest coordinator, told the group that 2008 marks the 50th year for the Ohio’s Junior Miss program and the 35th year Mount Vernon has hosted and sponsored the event. In 2007, America’s Junior Miss, the national program, celebrated its 50th anniversary.
So the audience could get to know the girls, each contestant received a written question to answer.
Rachel Jones of Hamilton, in Butler County, was asked about her most memorable moment thus far in the OJM program.
“Being introduced to the group of people who came to the welcome ceremony,” she said, “then meeting the mayor and getting a key to the city.”
Brittany Marlowe, from New Plymouth and representing Vinton County, answered a question about the advice she would give incoming high school freshmen by replying, “Take your academics seriously. It’s a big job to be in high school, but you’ll definitely regret if you don’t take your scholastics seriously.”
Representing Mount Gilead, Kendra Sherbourne told the crowd the person she admires most is Helen Keller.
“The passion she had for life ... and all the obstacles she had to overcome,” said Sherbourne. “Helen Keller said, ‘The best things in life are not seen or heard, but are felt in the heart.’”
When Jessica Johnson of Morrow County, who lives in Mount Gilead, was asked what would be different at her home this week in her absence, she noted an important attribute of her host father, Andrew Lenki.
“We’ve been bonding with our host parents,” Johnson said, “and we’ve been watching ‘Project Runway’ with our host dad. Dads don’t usually like to watch fashion shows, so that is really cool.”
The Ohio’s Junior Miss contestants, their host parents and OJM staff were treated to dinner Monday evening at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Dr. Keith Newman, vice president for university relations, welcomed the guests and introduced Amber Bryan, 2006 Central Knox County Junior Miss, and Chelsea Compton, 2006 Greater Knox County Junior Miss. Both women are sophomores at MVNU. They spoke of their OJM experiences and expressed appreciation for all they learned and the opportunities they were given.
“This is an opportunity to be on a journey together. A journey full of choices,” Newman said.
Reminding the young women that they will develop lasting friendships this week, he added, “Journeys give you all kinds of opportunities to build relationships.”
The contestants will be at Kroger today, 6 to 7 p.m., to meet the public and serve treats.
Following this week’s OJM festivities, practices and rehearsals, the show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Memorial Theater. Tickets can be purchased at the main office of First-Knox National Bank, downtown, and the theater’s box office will be open one hour before each show.
