The Pre-Teen Alabama Scholarship and Recognition Program was held recently at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama's best and brightest top female students, ages 7 to 12 years of age, competed for over $5,000.00 in educational bonds, prizes and awards. They were also vying for the opportunity to represent the State of Alabama at the 2006 Pre-Teen America National Competition, to be held in July, 2006 at the Sheraton Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama. There they will be competing for over $25,000.00 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 and Activities, 4) Development of Personal Skills and Abilities, 5) General Knowledge, 6) Communicative Ability and 7) "On-Stage" Acknowledgment of Accomplishments.

The following are Senior Division Titleholder and Runners-Up

2005 Pre-Teen Alabama Sr. Titleholder - 11 year old Elizabeth McNeil of Pike Road.

1st Runner-Up (tie) - 11 year old Julie Howorth of Montgomery and 12 year old Leah Paul of Montgomery.

2nd Runner-Up - (tie) - 12 year old Marie Cain of Bay Minette, Laura Oudenaarden 11 year old of Monroeville and Eileen Lambert 11 year old of Madison.

3rd Runner-Up (tie) - 11 year old Irene Wilkerson of Tyler and Heather Smith 10 year old from Falkville

4th Runner-Up - (tie) 10 year old Danielle Cassady of Athens and 10 year old Ashley Hollinger of Monroeville.

Speech Winner - (tie) 11 year old Julie Howorth of Montgomery and 10 year old Samantha Richard of Atmore.

Talent Winner - (tie) 10 year old Kimber Willis of Ariton, 12 year old Cerria White of Flomation and 10 year old Morgan Moore of Cullman.

The following are the Junior Division Titleholder and Runners-Up

2005 Pre-Teen Alablama Jr. Titleholder - 9 year old Caylee Sanders of Goshen

1st Runner-Up - (tie) Deidra Bush 9 year old of Athens and Alexandra Marchese 7 year old of Mobile

2nd Runner-Up - 8 year old Kayla Hull of Millbrook

3rd Runner-Up - (tie) 8 year old Shannon Lambert of Madison and 8 year old Morgan Edmiston of Scottsboro

4th Runner-Up - 8 year old Rachel Warwick of Mathews

Speech Winner - 8 year old Tia Taylor of Selma