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Published Monday, March 16, 2009 in Local

Special

The Junior Miss Scholarship winners are, from left, Hannah Gravitt, Reona Wynn, Monica Kotz, Ellen Dorrell, Maya Austin, and Emily Stephens. (Photo courtesy Emmie Sellers)

Gravitt and Stephens win Junior Miss titles in Newnan, Coweta

By News Staff

The Newnan Times-Herald

Under shimmering stars and planets, 16 high school junior girls competed for a share of $5,050 in college scholarships Sunday in Newnan.

The theme of the annual scholarship program was Junior Miss Space Odyssey. Jason Jones served as master of ceremonies and guided the audience at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts through an afternoon of entertainment and excitement.

Hannah Gravitt daughter of Laura and Randall Gravitt was awarded the title of Newnan's Junior Miss and $1,375 in cash scholarships. Emily Stephens daughter of Kelly and Sandy Stephens was awarded the title of Coweta's County's Junior Miss and $1,375 in cash scholarships.

Ellen Dorrell, daughter of Jennifer and David Dorrell, was named first runner-up and received $875 in cash scholarship.

Maya Austin, daughter of Andrea and Keith Austin, was named second runner-up and received $575 in cash scholarships.

The Junior Miss selection process is broken down into five categories: interview, 25 percent; scholastics, 20 percent; talent, 25 percent; fitness, 15 percent; and self-expression, 15 percent.

Gravitt and Stephens won in the preliminary categories of scholastics, talent and fitness. Dorrell won in interview, talent and self-expression. Austin won in interview and self-expression.

Other winners included Haley Todd, scholastics and fitness; Monica Kotz, interview and self-expression; and Brianna Donaldson, scholastics.

The Spirit of Junior Miss Award was presented to Monica Kotz. The honor is awarded to the contestant who best captures and understands the ideals of the Jr. Miss program, and is voted on by the contestants.

The Be Your Best Self Award was presented to Reona Wynn. The honor is awarded to the contestant who best captures of the Be Your Best Self ideals.

Kaitlyn Pecce, Danielle Blake, Jaleesa Arnold, Destiny Deaton, Tyler Conkey, Kristen Wise, Jasmine Gooden and Kelsi Adams also competed.

Specialty act entertainment during the afternoon included Abbey Hufstetler, Georgia's Junior Miss; Anna Hobbs, Newnan's Junior Miss class of 2009; Chelsea Smith, Coweta County's Junior Miss class of 2009; and Sarah Beth Moseley, first runner-up class of 2009.

Angela Jones and Cynthia Bennett are chairs for the program.

"Because of its high standards and numerous opportunities for high school juniors, Junior Miss is considered one of the nation's leading scholarship programs and has gained the approval of educators, parents and civic leaders," said Jones. "Junior Miss is a program that rewards overall excellence in the lives of young women."

Gravitt and Stephens will go on to compete at Georgia's Junior Miss Scholarship Program in Marietta in August 2009. Ticket information is available by e-mailing: cowetajm@hotmail.com .

Local sponsors of the Newnan-Coweta Junior Miss Scholarship Program include The Centre for Performing and Visual Arts, The Jameson Inn, Sellers Photography, Summit Family YMCA and Texas Roadhouse.

For more information on America's Junior Miss, call 800-256-5435 or visit the AJM website at www.ajm.org .