The Pre-Teen North Carolina Scholarship & Recognition Program was held recently at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham. North Carolina’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. They were also vying for the opportunity to qualify for the 2009 Pre-Teen America National competition to be held July 2-7, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There they will have the opportunity to compete for over $25,000 in educational bonds, prizes and awards.

The participants competed in seven evaluation categories. (1) Academic Achievement,
(2) Volunteer Service to Community, (3) School Honors and Activities, (4) Development of Personal Skills and Abilities, (5) General Knowledge Ability, (6) Communicative Ability,
(7) On-Stage Acknowledgement of Accomplishments.

The following are titleholders and runners-up for each division:
2008 Pre-Teen North Carolina (Sr. Division)
Amanda Wilderman from Rockingham

1st Runner-up
Makenzie Nesbit from Reidsville

2nd Runner-up
Alexis Massengill from Four Oaks

3rd Runner-up (tie)
Sabrina Carraway from Newport
Nicole Stroehrer from Rutherfordton
4th Runner-up (tie)
Kaitlyn Christiansen from Sanford
Kennedy Clevenger from Beaufort

2008 Pre-Teen North Carolina (Jr. Division)
Loren Johnson from Clayton

1st Runner-up
Rachel May from Cary

2nd Runner-up
Rachel Sauls from Four Oaks

3rd Runner-up (tie)
Kristin Surgeon from Ellerbe
Rebecca Lindsey from Whiteville
4th Runner-up (tie)
Catherine Bailey from Youngsville
Mikayla Christiansen from Sanford

The following are the Winners of the Optional Categories
Senior Speech Winner
Makenzie Nesbit from Reidsville

Junior Speech Winner
Loren Johnson from Clayton

Senior Talent Winner
Samantha Styron from Ocracoke

Junior Talent Winner
Mariah Godwin from Selma

Senior Spirit Winner
Makaya Thurman from Forest City

Junior Spirit Winner
Pollyanna Ballentine from Cashiers