MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Nazarene University hosted a dinner Monday night for the 29 Ohio Junior Miss participants and their host families. Knox County’s 2006 Ohio Junior Miss participants talked about their experience at the scholarship program.
Chelsea Compton, who was the 2006 Greater Knox County Junior Miss from Centerburg, encouraged the girls to reflect on what brought them to the program, and told them they will be challenged in so many ways. She said Ohio’s Junior Miss program was a hugh challenge for her, including the physical fitness routine, which seemed impossible. She said she learned many things, including how to be interviewed by the press and how to sit properly in a skirt.
“All those experiences have given me the courage to pursue new things here at MVNU. All these things you will be able to take with you through life,” she said.
Amber Bryan, who was Central Knox County Junior Miss in 2006, said, “I can’t believe it has been three years since I was setting where you are. There are so many things Ohio Junior Miss has given me that has stuck with me since then.”
She added that the financial award has given her the opportunity to study in Italy for three months.
“I definitely could not have done the things I have done without the confidence and support given me through Junior Miss,” she said. “It taught me to be a successful and graceful young woman while still retaining my ambitions and dreams.”
In a final note Bryan told the girls to enjoy the time in Mount Vernon to the fullest.
Dr. Keith Newman, vice president of University Relations at MVNU, told the girls and their host parents he is happy they are sharing their experience with not only the community of Mount Vernon, but the university as well.
“I wonder what the next four years are going to be like for you. All of you are headed off to college, where you will face changes and opportunity, where you will probably figure out what you are going to do with your life,” he said.
In closing, Cheri Butcher, State Chairwoman for Ohio’s Junior Miss, said OJM appreciates the partnership it has had with MVNU over the years.
“It has been a terrific partnership as well as the scholarship opportunities they provide; we appreciate all that you do for us,” she said.
To conclude the evening, university staff members gave T-shirts to each of the girls.
In addition to the usual practice sessions for the fitness and other routines, the 29 young women will be guests of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club for lunch at The Dan Emmett Convention Center today. To meet the public they will be at Kroger from 6 to 7 p.m. serving cake and Star Bucks coffee. Butcher concluded by thanking chef Todd Gallup and his staff for a dinner complete with white tablecloths and linen napkins.
