The Pre-Teen Alabama Scholarship & Recognition Program was held recently at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham.  Alabama’s  best and brightest top female honor roll students, ages 7 to 12 years old, competed for over $5,000 in educational bonds, prizes, and awards, as well as for the opportunity to qualify for competition in the 2000 Pre-Teen America Nationals to be held July 1-6, 2000, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel  in Knoxville, Tennessee.  There  they will have the opportunity to compete for over $25,000 in educational bonds, prizes, and awards. 

 The participants were evaluated in seven  criteria divisions including (1) Academic Achievement (2) Volunteer Service to Church and Community (3) School Honors and Activities (4) Development of Personal Skills and Abilities (5) General Knowledgeability (6) Communicative Ability (7) On-Stage Expressiveness and Overall Pre-Teen Image.

 The following are the state titleholders and runners-up.

2000 Pre-Teen Alabama (Senior)

Whitney Blackwood - 12 yr. old daughter of Ed & Cindy of Decatur

1st Runner-up

Miranda Baylor - 11 yr old daughter of Mike & Denise of Prattville

Corine Evans - 10 yr old daughter of Jerry & Cindy of Athens

2nd Runner-up

Laura Abston - 11 yr old daughter of Rev. Randy & Melanie of Gilbertown.

Elizabeth Chesson - 12 yr old daughter of Jim & Lyn of Saraland

Courtney Hattaway - 10 yr old daughter of Tim & Rhonda of Andaliesia

3rd Runner-up

Krystin Barksdale - 10 yr old daughter of Pandora of Birmingham

Kayla McKnight - 11 yr. old daughter of Milton & Kay of Newton

4th Runner-up

Mallory Batson - 11 yr old daughter of Tommy & Debbie of Attalla