By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
The auditorium was silent as the results of the 2010 Orleans County Junior Miss Scholarship Program were read. The 10 senior girls — representing four county high schools — held hands, waiting to hear the winner’s name called.
With a cash scholarship prize and a trip to Buffalo to compete in the New York state Junior Miss program, Margaret Feldman, of Lyndonville, was speechless when her name was called as the 2010 winner.
“I’m really excited,” Feldman said. “I’m thrilled and shocked.”
Just competing in the program was something that Feldman had wanted to do since a young age. She said that while growing up, she would always watch the program and couldn’t wait for her turn to be on the stage.
“Just meeting all the girls,” she said of what she will remember the most. “Their love and support through the whole thing.”
In addition to being named the program’s overall winner, Feldman was also awarded the Scholastic Award and the Self Expression Award.
Receiving the First Runner-Up award was Albion student Betsey McKenna. McKenna said she thought this program was a great opportunity to see all of the young women who will one day make a great asset to the community.
“We’ve all just bonded and had so much fun,” she said. “I think that’s the most important thing.”
McKenna also received the Interview Award and the Be Your Best Self Award.
Second Runner Up was given to Amber Callen-Ward, of Holley. The proud Holley Hawk said that competing in the program was something she had always wanted to do since she was a “little sister” when she was younger.
“It’s such an honor,” Callen-Ward said. “I’m overjoyed. I’m so happy for Margaret.”
Also winning awards were Elizabeth Tuohey, of Medina, receiving the Talent Award; Brittany Miller, of Medina, receiving the Community Service Award; and Jenna Pratt, of Medina, receiving the Fitness Award.
Pratt was also given the Spirit Award, an honor that was voted on by her Junior Miss peers.
The program is judged on five parts: Interview, which makes up 25 percent of the total; scholastics, which makes up 20 percent; talent, which makes up 25 percent; fitness, which makes up 15 percent; and self expression, which makes up 15 percent of the total.
The interview and scholastics portion of the program is completed before the live show. During Saturday’s program at Medina High School, an audience watched the contestants perform their talent, answer a question given by the judges, perform a 5- to 7-minute fitness routine and dance in a self expression number.
During the program, each contestant had help from their “little sister.” The little sister program partners a Junior Miss contestant with a third-grade participant to help the girls with a car wash, bake sale and other fundraisers. The little sisters also performed two dances with the contestants.
Returning for her last night as Orleans County Junior Miss, 2009 winner Alissa Gee thanked her family, friends and community for their support over the past year. She also gave a presentation on her experience in the local and state program, and after winning the New York state title, her trip to Mobile, Ala., where she competed in the National Junior Miss contest. Gee said that without this program and the scholarship opportunities it brought her, she would not have been able to fulfill her dream of attending Roberts Wesleyan College.
Since its creation, Junior Miss has given out $82.7 million dollars in scholarship money on a national, state and local level. Each year, approximately 6,000 girls compete across the United States in 500 Junior Miss programs. In New York state, the Orleans County program is one of six local competitions. Locally, approximately $5,000 has been given out in scholarships.
The Master of Ceremonies for the night’s event was Daniel Doctor, principal of Towne Elementary School and creator of the West Side Academy of the Visual and Performing Arts.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
