By Ida Brown

senior staff writer

Today, 41 Mississippi high school seniors will convene at Quality Inn to begin a week of competing for more than $35,000 in college scholarships — as well as the title of 2007 Mississippi Junior Miss.

“We are extremely excited about this year’s program,” said Hampton Thames, state chairman of the Mississippi Junior Miss Program.

“This program celebrates what is right with today’s young people and offers them cash scholarship opportunities to further their education,” Thames said.

During their week-long stay, Junior Miss contestants will stay at the homes of several local residents, known as host families. The early part of the week, the girls will be busy during the day with rehearsals. A series of evening activities are also scheduled, including a Judges Party at the home of a local resident.

The three nights of competition will begin Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Temple Theatre. Curtain time for Friday is also 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Now in its 50th year, the Mississippi Junior Miss Program spotlights the outstanding achievements of the state’s best and brightest high school girls, Thames said. During the week-long program in Meridian, Junior Miss contestants are evaluated on scholastic achievement, fitness, self expression, talent and interview — the same criteria for Junior Miss programs on the local, state and national levels.

Here are brief biographical sketches of the 2007 Mississippi Junior Miss contenders:

• Lauren Elizabeth McDaniel, Choctaw County’s Junior Miss. Lauren, 17, attends French Camp Academy. She plans to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist at the University of Mississippi. Lauren is the daughter of Terry McDaniel of French Camp and Amy McDaniel of Weir.

• Kara Drew Irby, Clarke County’s Junior Miss. Kara, 17, attends Enterprise High School. She plans to pursue a career as a physician and do missionary work. Kara is the daughter of William and Candy Irby of Meridian.

• Rebekah Jill Duckworth, Clinton’s Junior Miss. Rebekah, 17, attends Clinton High School. She plans to pursue a career in music, vocal or education at the University of Southern Mississippi. Rebekah is the daughter of Billy and Betsye Duckworth of Clinton.

• Ashlie Michelle Clark, East Jackson County’s Junior Miss. Ashlie, 17, attends East Central High School. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy or theater arts at the University of South Alabama. Ashlie is the daughter of Charles and Julie Clark of Moss Point.

• Frances Olivia Hall, Forrest County’s Junior Miss. Frances, 17, attends Forrest County Agricultural High School. She plans to pursue a career as a pediatric physician at the University of Southern Mississippi. Frances is the daughter of A. Corrie and Beverly Hall of Hattiesburg.

• Virginia Elaine Zitzelberger, Gautier’s Junior Miss. Virginia, 17, attends Gautier High School. She plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy at the University of South Alabama. Virginia is the daughter of Vincent I. Zitzelberger of Colony, Texas, and Cristine A. Ward of Gautier.

• Dailee ReJoyce Eubanks, George County’s Junior Miss. Dailee, 17, attends George County High School. She plans to pursue a career in business at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dailee is the daughter of Bruce and Dawn Eubanks of Lucedale.

• Samantha LeJene Morris, Greene County’s Junior Miss. Samantha, 16, attends Greene County High School. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Samantha is the daughter of Terry and Susan Morris of Leakesville.

• Victoria Rae Romano, Hancock County’s Junior Miss. Victoria, 17, attends Our Lady Academy. She plans to pursue a career in law and/or political science at the University of Mississippi or Vanderbilt University. Victoria is the daughter of John and Teresa Romano of Diamondhead.

• Erin Rebeccah Mauffray, At-Large Program/Harrison County’s Junior Miss. Erin, 17, attends Gulfport High School. She plans to pursue a career in child psychology at Stanford University. Erin is the daughter of David and Cindy Mauffray of Gulfport.

• Jennifer Lauren Cooper, Hinds County’s Junior Miss. Jennifer, 17, attends Hillcrest Christian School. She plans to pursue a career in dentistry at Mississippi State University. Jennifer is the daughter of Barry and Luci Cooper of Raymond.

• Laura Lanae McCormick, Jasper County’s Junior Miss. Laura, 17, attends Sylva-Bay Academy. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy at Samford University. Laura is the daughter of Eric and Lanae McCormick of Bay Springs.

• Kathryn Joelle Easley, Jones County’s Junior Miss. Kathryn, 16, attends Northeast Jones High School. She plans to pursue a career in dentistry at the University of Southern Mississippi. Rebekah is the daughter of Mark and Melody Easley of Laurel.

• Suzanna Lee Ellzey, Lamar County’s Junior Miss. Suzanna, 16, attends Oak Grove High School. She plans to pursue a career in ophthalmology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Suzanna is the daughter of Burke and Diane Ellzey of Hattiesburg.

• Jennie Kathryn Scrivner, Lauderdale County’s Junior Miss. Jennie, 17, attends Lamar School. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy at the University of Mississippi. Jennie is the daughter of Donnie and Amy Scrivner of Collinsville.

• Shelly Leigh Osborn, Leake County’s Junior Miss. Shelly, 17, attends Carthage High School. She plans to pursue a career in orthodontics. Shelly is the daughter of Greg Osborn of Ridgeland and Kathy and Greg Osborn of Carthage.

• Elizabeth Baker Moak, Lincoln County Junior Miss. Elizabeth, 17, attends Brookhaven High School. She plans to pursue a career in law at Rhodes College. Elizabeth is the daughter of Frank and Terri Moak of Brookhaven.

• Caitlyn Terrell Smith, Lowndes County’s Junior Miss. Caitlyn, 17, attends Heritage Academy. She plans to pursue a career in law or broadcast journalism at the University of Mississippi or the University of Alabama. Caitlyn is the daughter of Jeffrey and Laura Smith of Columbus.

• Allison Kelly Pace, Madison County’s Junior Miss. Allison, 17, attends Madison Central High School. She plans to pursue a career in pediatrics at Mississippi State University. Allison is the daughter of Ben and Kaye Pace of Madison.

• Jennifer Karen Ware, Marion County’s Junior Miss. Jennifer, 17, attends Columbia High School. She plans to pursue a career in microbiology at the University of North Carolina. Jennifer is the daughter of Otho and Betsye Ware of Columbia.

• Margaret Edwina Forester, Meridian’s Junior Miss. Margaret, 17, attends Meridian High School. She plans to pursue a career in graphic design at the University of Mississippi. Margaret is the daughter of Mitch and Stephanie Forester of Meridian.

• Alyssa Victoria Williams, Moss Point’s Junior Miss. Alyssa, 17, attends Moss Point High School. She plans to pursue a career in dentistry at Mississippi State University. Alyssa is the daughter of Anthony and Pom Williams of Moss Point.

• Madison Michelle Hardy, Neshoba County’s Junior Miss. Madison, 17, attends Neshoba Central High School. She plans to pursue a career as a music industry executive at Belmont University. Madison is the daughter of Mike and Sarah Hardy of Philadelphia.

• Krystle Elyse Wolverton, Newton County’s Junior Miss. Krystle, 17, attends Union High School. She plans to pursue a career in speech pathology at East Central Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi. Krystle is the daughter of Gregory and Retha Wolverton of Union.

• Ann Hamilton McGuire, Noxubee County’s Junior Miss. Ann, 17, attends Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. She plans to attend Mississippi State University. Ann is the daughter of Phillip and Cyndy McGuire of Macon.

• Jessica Marie Bosarge, Pascagoula’s Junior Miss. Jessica, 17, attends Pascagoula High School. She plans to pursue a career in orthodontics at the University of Mississippi. Jessica is the daughter of Steve and Sandra Bosarge of Pascagoula.

• Kasey Charlene Mitchell, Pearl River’s Junior Miss. Kasey, 17, attends Picayune Memorial High School. She plans to pursue a career in environmental engineering at Mississippi State University or Louisiana State University. Kasey is the daughter of Donald and Melonie Mitchell of Picayune.

• Kathryn Ellyse Wyatt, Perry County’s Junior Miss. Kathryn, 17, attends Petal High School. She plans to pursue a career in pediatric oncology at Mississippi College. Kathryn is the daughter of Joseph and Gloria Wyatt of Richton.

• Sarah Beth Henderson, Petal’s Junior Miss. Sarah, 17, attends Petal High School. She plans to own a bakery and attend William Carey College. Sarah is the daughter of Chuck and Lynette Henderson of Petal.

• Julie Ann Hall, Picayune’s Junior Miss. Julie, 17, attends Picayune Memorial High School. She plans to pursue a career in corporate law at the University of Mississippi. Julie is the daughter of Kenneth and Nancy Hall of Picayune.

• Lee Anna Woodcock, Pike County’s Junior Miss. Lee Anna, 16, attends Parklane Academy. She plans to pursue a career in law and government at the University of Mississippi. Lee Anna is the daughter of Vince and Angie Woodcock of McComb.

• Crystal Nicole Flores, Rankin County’s Junior Miss. Crystal, 17, attends Northwest Rankin High School. She plans to pursue a career in obstetric sonography at the University of Mississippi. Crystal is the daughter of Ruben and Wyndy Flores of Brandon.

• Melanie Wynn Hatch, Scott County’s Junior Miss. Melanie, 17, attends Forest High School. She plans to pursue a career in business and accounting at the University of Southern Mississippi. Melanie is the daughter of Darwin and Sheila Hatch of Forest.

• Jennifer Loren Stewart, Simpson County’s Junior Miss. Jennifer, 17, attends Simpson County Academy. She plans to pursue a career in the performing arts at the University of Mississippi. Jennifer is the daughter of Mike and Sheri Stewart of Mendenhall.

• Annia Maria McDaniel, Smith County’s Junior Miss. Annia, 17, attends Taylorsville High School. She plans to pursue a career in radiology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Annia is the daughter of John and Joy McDaniel of Mt. Olive.

• Victoria Elyse Ferguson, Starkville’s Junior Miss. Victoria, 17, attends Starkville High School. She plans to pursue a career in international business at Mississippi State University. Victoria is the daughter of Bill and Vicki Burnett of Starkville and the late Dr. J. Scott Ferguson.

• Emelia Pearl Wilson, At-Large Program/Stone County’s Junior Miss. Emelia, 17, attends Stone High School. She plans to pursue a career in political leadership at the University of Mississippi. Emelia is the daughter of John and Angela Wilson of Gulfport.

• Bethany Paige Conner, Wayne County’s Junior Miss. Bethany, 17, attends Wayne County High School. She plans to pursue a career in photojournalism at the University of Mississippi. Bethany is the daughter of Mike and Tracey Conner of Waynesboro.

• Marie Elizabeth Wicks, West Jackson County’s Junior Miss. Marie, 17, attends Ocean Springs High School. She plans to pursue a career in medicine and music at the University of Mississippi. Marie is the daughter of Thomas and Caroline Wicks of Ocean Springs.

• Sarah Elizabeth Woodward, Winston’s Junior Miss. Sarah, 17, attends Winston Academy. She plans to pursue a career in dermatology at Mississippi State University or Tulane University. Sarah is the daughter of Larry and Margaret Woodward of Louisville.

• Mallory Reed Roberts, Yazoo County’s Junior Miss. Mallory, 17, attends Manchester Academy. She plans to pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales at the University of Mississippi. Mallory is the daughter of Kenny and Melissa Roberts of Yazoo City.



Want Tickets?

Tickets for the 2007 Mississippi Junior Miss Program will be sold Monday through Friday, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., at the Temple Theatre Box office, 2320 Eighth St. Ticket prices are: reserve package for all three nights of competition, $40; general admission package, $25. Individual general admission tickets are $7, Thursday; $10, Friday; and $12, Saturday. For more information, call the box office at (601) 693-5353.