By Samra Ward
The Meridian Star
After three nights of intense competition, Katherine Thurber of West Jackson County was named Mississippi’s Junior Miss 2010.
She will represent Mississippi in America’s Junior Miss 2010 in Mobile, Ala.
Thurber walked away with a $10,000 cash scholarship from the Mississippi’s Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation, a $1,000 cash scholarship from Meridian Coca-Cola, and $1,500 for her preliminary wins in fitness, scholastic, and self-expression.
Thurber, daughter of George and Patricia Thurber, showcased plenty of talent during the competition to boost her resume of both scholastic and creative nature. She is a National Merit Semi-finalist, plays multiple instruments, and sings. One thing it doesn't mention, however, is her humble nature.
"I don't know what to say. It still feels so surreal to me, and I feel so blessed," said a tearful Thurber after the announcement.
Saturday's finals began with the announcement of the prestigious top ten, who then competed again in self-expression, talent, and fitness. After Mississippi’s Junior Miss 2009 Sidney Anthony gave her farewell came the moment all had been waiting for: the announcement of category winners, alternates, and Mississippi’s Junior Miss 2010, Katherine Thurber.
"She deserved it. I'm so proud of her ... and myself," said the ecstatic first alternate and Moss Point's Junior Miss, Gia-Rayne Harris. "I feel so blessed to have been up here with such great girls."
Harris is the daughter of Rochelle Harris. For her first alternate win, she received a $5,000 cash scholarship from the Mississippi’s Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation and a $200 dollar scholarship from Meridian Coca-Cola. She also received the Brainstorm Creative Group Overall Talent award, a $1,000 cash scholarship. Harris is a senior at Pascagoula High School and plans on attending Columbia or Harvard University to pursue a career in law.
Forrest County's Anna Beth Higginbotham was named second alternate. Higginbotham, the daughter of Trip and Sonya Higginbotham, received $2,500 from the Mississippi Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation and $200 from Meridian Coca-Cola for her alternate placing, and $500 for her preliminary talent win.
Third alternate went to Christina Holy, the daughter of James and Shannon Holy. She received $2,500 from the Mississippi Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation and $150 from Meridian Coca-Cola. Additionally, she received the Medical Store Overall Fitness Award and the John Houston Overall Self-Expression Award, each worth $1,000.
Other special awards were given out as well. George County's Jordan Smith received the Ann & Jimmy Alexander "Be Your Best Self" award, and Lamar County's Blair Jackson was named "Spirit of Junior Miss." The Bo Russell Overall Scholastic Award went to Barunie Kim, Starkville's Junior Miss.
The first America's Junior Miss program was held in Mobile in 1958 with 18 states represented. Over the years, more than 700,000 young women have participated at the different levels of Junior Miss. Famous faces include Diane Saywer (America's Junior Miss 1963) and Debra Messing (Rhode Island's Junior Miss 1986). Since 1958, the America's Junior Miss program has awarded more than 90 million dollars in scholarships.
Top Ten List: each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Mississippi's Junior Miss Scholarship Foundation for their finalist status.
Rachel Burttram, Lowndes County
Mary Clair Cardin, Clinton
Morgan Davis, Hinds County
Gia-Rayne Harris, Moss Point
Elizabeth Henry, Rankin County
Anna Beth Higginbotham, Forrest County
Christina Holy, Madison County
Jourdan Schulte, Lauderdale County
Katherine Thurber, West Jackson County
Mallory White, Jones County
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