Junior Miss contestants take the stage Friday

By By Penny Randall/staff writer
Feb. 27, 2002
Friday night, 30 young ladies will dance, sing, perform physical fitness routines and show their presence and composure as they compete for Meridian and Lauderdale County Junior Miss 2003.
With the largest field of high school juniors in several years, the program has been moved from Meridian High School to the Temple Theatre and expanded to a two-night event.
Six weeks of practice will come to an end Friday when the girls begin their competition. They will be judged in five areas: scholastic achievement, panel evaluation, talent, physical fitness, and presence and composure.
Two winners will be be named Saturday night.
The Junior Miss program awards winners scholarships to various schools to further their education. It also gives them a chance to develop their interview skills through a panel evaluation, in which they talk about their goals and hopes for the future in one-on-one meetings with the judges.
The winners of the local program will compete next in the state competition, set for August in Meridian at the Temple Theatre.
Meridian candidates
Meredith P. LaBruyere is the daughter of Ken and Dixie LaBruyere. She attends Meridian High School. Meredith will perform a tumbling routine to "Rum Tum Tugger" from the Broadway Musical "Cats."
Katherine Covington Snowden is the daughter of state Rep. Greg and Renee Snowden. Katherine attends Meridian High School. She will give a piano performance of Chopin's "Revolutionary Etude (Op. 10 No. 12)."
Carly Elizabeth Deweese is the daughter of Doug and Bet Deweese. Carly attends Meridian High School. She will perform a swing dance routine to "Sing, Sing, Sing."
Rachael Claire Deen is the daughter of Tim and Amy Deen. Rachael attends Meridian High School. She will give a piano performance of "Norwegian Concerto" by Edward Grieg.
Alexa Branton Crane is a student at Meridian High School. She is the daughter of James and Diann Crane. Alexa will do a piano performance of "Love" by Nat King Cole.
Heather Marie Wiggins is the daughter of Mark and Angelia Wiggins. Heather attends Lamar High School. She will do a piano performance of "Norwegian Concerto" by Edward Grieg.
Shamika Sohron Jackson is the daughter of James and Bessie Hopson. Jackson attends Meridian High School. She will perform a dance routine to "Jesus" by Kirk Franklin.
Margaret Elizabeth White is the daughter of David E. and Margaret S. White. Margaret Elizabeth White attends Lamar High School. She will do a piano performance of "Hungarian Opus 39, No. 12."
Heloniafai Kankeeshua McDade is a student at Meridian High School. She is the daughter of Charlie McDade and Georgia Boyd. Heloniafai will do a piano performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson.
Keely Elizabeth Phillips is the daughter of Mark and Leslie Phillips. Keely attends Lamar High School. She will do a piano performance of "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini" by Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Elizabeth Anne Maranto is the daughter of Greg S. and Jo Beth A. Maranto. Elizabeth attends Lamar High School. She will give a vocal performance of "Somewhere Out There."
Lauderdale County candidates
Jennifer Lashelle Huggins is a student at West Lauderdale High School. She is the daughter of John and Michelle Pendergrass. Huggins will perform an interpretive dance to "My Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen.
Jenna Blair Rawson is the daughter of Billy and Janet Rawson. Jenna attends Northeast Lauderdale High School. She will do a vocal performance of "Blessed" by Rachael Lampa.
Jodi Christine Hales is the daughter of Robert Keith Hales and Marjorie Dean. Jodi attends Clarkdale High School. She will do a vocal performance of "Redeemer" by Nicole C. Mullen.
Jessica Denea Courvelle is a student at West Lauderdale High School. She is the daughter of Jamie and Nelda Sistrunk. Courvelle will give a dramatic recitation by Lee Greenwood.
Alesia Machelle Parker is the daughter of Kenneth L. and JoAnne Parker. Alesia attends West Lauderdale High School. She will do a jazz dance performance to "Great Balls of Fire."
Felicia Danee White is the daughter of Clement White and Belinda Tadlock. Felicia attends Clarkdale High School. She will give a vocal performance of "On My Knees" by Jaci Velasquez.
Samantha Joyce Coleman is a student at Northeast Lauderdale High School. She is the daughter of Norman and Peggy Coleman. Samantha will do a piano performance of Beethoven.
Angela Nicole Woodall is the daughter of George and Cindy Woodall. Angela attends Clarkdale High School. She will give a dramatic recitation to "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" by Alan Jackson.
Sondra LeAnn Palmer is the daughter of Jimmy A. and Virgi W. Palmer. Sondra attends Meridian High School. She will give a vocal performance of "Hero" by Mariah Carey.
Nickolee Lauren Tedder is the daughter of Flint and Lessa Tedder. Nickolee attends West Lauderdale High School. She will do a piano performance of Beethoven.
Erin Michelle Anderson is the daughter of Dr. Shawn and Mary Anderson. Erin attends Lamar High School. She will give a pointe performance to "Allegro Variation."
Tara Leigh Smith is the daughter of Jimmy and Marilyn Smith. Tara attends Clarkdale High School. She will give a vocal performance of "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill.
Brittany Leigh Sherrill attends Lamar High School. She is the daughter of Bobby L. and Angela S. Sherrill. Brittany will give a piano performance of "The Entertainer" by Joplin.
Kristina Nechol Jenkins is the daughter of Willie and Rose Jenkins. Kristina attends Northeast Lauderdale High School. She will give a dramatic recitation of "I Remember" by Sarita Jenkins.
Stefanie Leigh Ellison is the daughter of Steve A. and Sharon C. Ellison. Stefanie attends Lamar High School. She will give a dance performance.
Lauren Elizabeth Goodman is the daughter of Lt. Col. Murphy and Beth Goodman. Lauren attends West Lauderdale High School. She will give a vocal performance of "Pie Jesu" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Requiem."
Kathryn Rae McNair is the daughter of Ray and Sara McNair. Kathryn attends Northeast Lauderdale High School. She will give a piano performance of "The Hungarian."
Erin Elisha Elliot is the daughter of Bob and Patt Elliot. Erin attends Southeast Lauderdale High School. She will give an auxiliary performance of "Big Spender" by Peggy Lee.
Emily Rae Breland is the daughter of Sammy Breland and Kim Flynt. Emily attends Northeast Lauderdale High School. She will give a vocal performance of "Orange Colored Sky" by Natalie Cole.
JUNIOR MISS PROGRAM
When: Friday and Saturday
Where: Temple Theatre
Times: Doors open at 6 p.m., begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Friday $10 and Saturday $12
Sponsor: Greater Meridian Jaycees
For information: Call 693-5353