Centerburg Teen to Represent Ohio at AJM National Finals

Yelena Arishina of Centerburg will represent Ohio at the 52nd AJM National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, on June 25, 26 & 27, 2009. Arishina participated in the Ohio’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.

Arishina is the daughter of Russell Myers and Marina Arishina of Centerburg. She plans to attend Troy University in the fall to study international relations and business journalism. During the talent portion of the program, Arishina will perform a piano piece entitled Toccata in D minor. For more information about Arishina, visit www.ajm.org/media/junior_misses/class_of_2009/ohio.

Arishina 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, 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~