NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassidy Grimes, Public Relations Director
251.622.5335 (office) cassidy@ajm.org

KENTUCKY WINS AMERICA’S JUNIOR MISS 2009

Kentucky’s Junior Miss, Michelle Rodgers, won the title of America’s Junior Miss 2009 during the 52nd AJM National Finals on Saturday, June 27. Rodgers also won preliminary awards in self expression and interview, earning a total of $52,000 in cash scholarships. Rodgers is the daughter of Paul and Karen Rodgers of Winchester. She plans to attend Northwestern University in the fall to pursue a degree in international studies and theater.

First runner up was Mississippi’s Junior Miss, Sydney Anthony of Ridgeland, Mississippi. Second runner was Wisconsin’s Junior Miss, Samantha LaBrasca of Torrington, Wisconsin. Other finalists included Kayla Hoover of Idaho, Divya Srinivasan of Virginia, Polina Carlson of Washington, Nadia Hlebowitsh of Iowa, Kathryn Tully of Alabama, Asia Turner of Rhode Island, and Alexis Flake of Arizona.

Other scholarship awards were presented during tonight’s finals. The following young women earned $1000 scholarships each in talent: Nadia Hlebowitsh of Iowa, Alyssa Alysson Ochiai of Hawaii, Divya Srinivasan of Virginia, Sydney Anthony of Mississippi and Elissa Houk of Pennsylvania.

The following young women earned $1000 scholarships each in interview: Polina Carlson of Washington, Asia Turner of Rhode Island, Laura Moore of Florida, Divya Srinivasan of Virginia, and Michelle Rodgers of Kentucky.

The Spirit of Junior Miss award was presented to Ashley Bracey of Utah.

America’s Junior Miss is the oldest and largest scholarship program of its type for high school senior females. Since 1958, AJM has awarded more than $90 million in cash scholarships to the nation’s top young women. Last year, AJM provided more than $2 million in cash and college scholarship opportunities to over 4,500 young women. AJM’s national sponsors for 2009 are the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Encore Rehabilitation, Alabama Power, Regions Bank, and Mobile Gas.

For more information, please contact Cassidy Grimes, AJM Public Relations Director, at 251-622-5335 or cassidy@ajm.org, or visit www.ajm.org.

-AJM-