MOUNT VERNON — Country Club Retirement Campus hosted a luncheon for Ohio’s Junior Miss participants on Wednesday. At each table, two CCRC residents were paired with two Junior Misses, leading to lively conversation. Occasionally, a deer walked through the campus’ snowy back yard, delighting the diners. Lynn Jurkowitz, local musician and teacher, performed piano music to accompany lunch.
Country Club resident Kathrine Erwin said she enjoyed the event.
“It was stimulating,” she said. “We talked about what we’ve been doing, the things you can brag about. I think that’s important. We talked about a little of everything.”
For the third day, the young women answered random written questions.
Caroline Drennen, Green County Junior Miss, was asked about the accomplishment of which she is most proud.
“Starting recycling at our high school,” she said. “We worked out a program that’s really good. It saves our school a lot of money, and it also helps the planet.”
Megan Howard, Northridge Junior Miss from Licking County, was asked what she plans to study in college.
“International relations and political science,” she replied. “Eventually I would like to work for the Secretary of State or the United Nations, to help shape international policy and relations.”
Kendra Sherbourne, Mount Gilead’s Junior Miss, was asked about her biggest surprise about OJM.
“Finding this amazing group of young ladies who are so much like myself,” she said. “We get along so well. I never thought I would find a group of people so much like me. That was a big surprise, and a great surprise.”
“Who do you most admire?” was Brianne Bolding’s question. She is Huron County’s Junior Miss.
“My boyfriend’s mother,” she answered, “because she has multiple sclerosis. But she gets up every morning, drives an hour and a half to work and takes care of her children. I wish that in my life I would have enough courage and strength to be like her.”
Today, Soroptimist International of Mount Vernon and Knox County will host a luncheon for the Junior Misses at The Alcove.