O'Fallon Teen to Represent Illinois at AJM National Finals

Betsy Kuckuk of O'Fallon will represent Illinois at the 52nd AJM National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, on June 25, 26 & 27, 2009. Kuckuk participated in the Illinois’s Junior Miss program this year and was selected to compete in the national program where she will compete for a share of $125,000 in cash scholarships and the title of America's Junior Miss 2009. She will also be eligible for college granted scholarships to more than 200 colleges and universities across the nation.

Kuckuk is the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Kuckuk of O'Fallon. She plans to attend the University of Missouri in the fall to study elementary education. During the talent portion of the program, Kuckuk will perform a dance to So Small by Carrie Underwood.. For more information about Kuckuk, visit www.ajm.org/media/junior_misses/class_of_2009/illinois.

Kuckuk will travel to Mobile, Alabama, on June 15, to begin rehearsals and participate in special events throughout the community. She will be involved in the Be Your Best Self Day with the Junior League of Mobile, activities with the Girl Scouts, and even a Mardi Gras ball.

The 52nd AJM National Finals will be available online on Saturday, June 27, at 7:00pm central standard time. To watch the finals and see photos and blogs of the contestants, visit www.nbc15online.com.

America's Junior Miss (AJM) is a nonprofit organization and is the oldest and largest scholarship program of its type for college bound women. Participants in the program are evaluated in scholastics (20%), interview (25%), fitness (15%), talent (25%), and self expression (15%). Since 1958, AJM has awarded more than $90 million in cash scholarships and has had more than 200,000 young women to participate on the local, state and national levels. National sponsors for AJM are the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Encore Rehabilitation, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Mobile Gas, Alabama Power Company, and Regions Bank.

For more information about AJM, contact Cassidy Grimes, Public Relations Director, at 251.622.5335 or cassidy@ajm.org.

~AJM~