The 2000 Pre-Teen Mississippi Scholarship & Recognition Program was held recently at the Ramada Inn Coliseum Hotel in Jackson. Mississippi'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 2001 Pre-Teen America Nationals to be held July 3-8, 2001, at the Radisson Hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 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 Mississippi (Senior)
Lauren DeLap - 12 year old daughter of Doug & Joy Delap of Greenville
1st Runner-Up - Sr. (Tie)
Shelley Clark - 11 year old daughter of David & Pam Clark of Florence
Molly Sanders - 11 year old daughter of Chuck & Donna Sanders of Daleville
2nd Runner-Up - Sr.(Tie)
Kathy Butler - 11 year old daughter of Jamie & Dianne Butler of Florence
Erin Mauffrey - 11 year old daughter of David & Cindy Mauffrey of Gulfport
3rd Runner-Up - Sr.(Tie)
Laken Hood - 10 year old daughter of Mark & Cheryl Hood of Blue Springs
Maggie Jenkins - 12 year old daughter of Bruce & Paula Jenkins of Southaven
Whitney Mowdy - 11 year old daughter of Ricky & Martha Mowdy of Southaven
4th Runner Up - Sr.(Tie)
Cassie Carmichael - 11 year old daughter of Terry & Allison Carmichael of Magee
Terrika Jones - 11 year old daughter of Terry & Mischelle Jones of Columbus
Kayla Kelly - 12 year old daughter of Clay Kelly & Lisa Adams of Picayune
Lisa Pederson - 12 year old daughter of Tom & Sylvia Pederson of Olive Branch
2000 Pre-Teen Mississippi (Junior)
Kelly Truax - 9 year old daughter of Dennis & Jeanie Truax of Starkville
1st Runner-Up - Jr.
Alexandra Gieger - 9 year old daughter of Chip & Congetta Gieger of Laurel
2nd Runner-Up - Jr. (Tie)
Kia Byrd - 8 year old daughter of Cynthia Byrd of Jackson
Hillary Gregory - 9 year old daughter of Johnny & Rita Gregory of Magee
3rd Runner-Up - Jr. (Tie)
Nichole Brasel - 9 year old daughter of Benny & Felicia Brasel of Iuka
Caroline Cooley - 9 year old daughter of Kevin & Laura Cooley of Corinth
Amber Everett - 9 year old daughter of Terrell & Darlene of Moselle
Kristen Harvey - 9 year old daughter of Keith & Phyllis Harvey of Columbus
4th Runner - Up - Jr.(Tie)
Audrey Case - 7 year old daughter of Stephanie Case of Florence
Heather Kirkland - 9 year old daughter of Ricky & Belinda Kirkland of Carriere
Caitlin Pounds - 9 year old daughter of Ray & Renee Pounds of Tylertown
Melanie Shelton - 9 year old daughter of Michael & Julia Shelton of Clarksdale
Speech Winner (Tie)
Lauren DeLap - 12 year old daughter of Doug & Joy DeLap of Greenville
Heather Huff - 11 year old daughter of Darwin & Wanda Huff of Gloster
Talent Winner (Tie)
Lianne Capaning - 11 year old daughter of Edgar & Ninabeth Capaning of New Albany
Lauren DeLap - 12 year old daughter of Doug & Joy DeLap of Greenville