The Pre-Teen Alabama Academic and Enrichment Program was held recently at the Sheraton in Birmingham. Alabama’s best and brightest female students, ages 7 to 12, competed for over $5,000 in educational bonds, prizes and awards. They were also vying for the opportunity to represent the state of Alabama at the 2009 Pre-Teen America Competition to be held in July 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There they will be competing for over $25,000 in educational bonds, prizes and awards. The participants competed in seven evaluation categories. 1) Academic Achievement, 2) Volunteer Service to Church and Community, 3) School Honors, 4) Development of Personal Skills and Abilities, 5) General Knowledge, 6) Communicative Ability and 7) On-Stage Presentation.

The following are the Senior Division Winners

2008 Pre-Teen Alabama Senior Titleholder- McKenzie Donald of Chatom

1st Runner-up (tie)- Mollie Etheridge of Dothan and Kira Lever of Tallassee

2nd Runner-up- Virginia Reid of Montgomery

3rd Runner-up (tie)- Amber Sayers of Tallassee and Jewel Townsend of Cuba

4th Runner-up- Melissa Webb of Stapleton

Talent Winner- Mollie Etheridge of Dothan

Speech Winner- McKenzie Donald of Chatom

Spirit of Pre-Teen Alabama- Kristy Tillery of Wetumpka


The following are the Junior Division Winners

2008 Pre-Teen Alabama Junior Titleholder- Laura Messer of Wedowee

1st Runner-up (tie)- Lindsay Fincher of Wedowee and ZaKasia Chatman of Oxford

2nd Runner-up- Dolly Harper of Wadley

3rd Runner-up- Madelin Paez of Brundidge

4th Runner-up- Chasmine Baldwin of Shorter

Talent Winner- Emily Morring of Cullman

Speech Winner- ZaKasia Chatman of Oxford

Spirit of Pre-Teen Alabama- Emily Morring of Cullman