RSS Feed
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Nantucket Junior Miss
The Nantucket Junior Miss competition operates under the umbrella of the America's Junior Miss competition, which began in 1958. According to AJM, the purpose of the competition is "to emphasize education by providing scholarship opportunities to outstanding, college-bound high school girls and to encourage personal development in all young people through the Be Your Best Self outreach program." Alittle over one year ago, a collapse at the Junior Miss national level almost ended the whole organization for good. But several former contestants established a fundraising campaign, Friends of America's Junior Miss, to keep it going.
Nantucket's support for the Junior Miss organization is known even at the national level. At the America's Junior Miss competition in 2005, Nantucket was named Outstanding Local Program for the 2004-05 year, out of 400 other local programs nationwide. The NJM apportions about $30,000 between the contestants, which is actually more than the state of Massachusetts rewards. The contestants also each receive a gift basket worth over $400 from Nantucket business. "It's a huge opportunity for the girls to get money for college," said Kristen Holdgate, president of Nantucket's Junior Miss Board of Directors. "The community has been so generous." The ideal candidate for Junior Miss is well-rounded, Holdgate said. "She doesn't have to be the prettiest. Generally, she's not the smartest in her class. She can't dance the best. But she's well-rounded and easy going."
McDonough-Thayer said her title as Nantucket's Junior Miss paved the way for these accomplishments, giving her the largest audience she'd ever had at the time of the competition. "It was really nice, because I got my voice heard because of Nantucket's Junior Miss," she said. "I was able to say how I felt and show my talents, and it opened up so many wonderful contacts for me."
People like Wendy Hilts, who act as guides and spirits of organizational wisdom. Or like Chris Meredith, who composed every piece of music used in this year's competition - with the exception of songs the contestants are using during their talent. Linda Meredith, Chris's wife of 30 years, is working with the girls to choreograph the opening number as well as the self-expression component of the show. Linda has been attached to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance. "The whole theme of the show this year is a little more rock 'n' roll, a little more revolutionary," said Chris, a professional musician for over 30 years who has played with a long list of musicians (including Aerosmith) and on a long list of tours (including the Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson tour).
Attending any of the NJM rehearsals a week before the competition, one would get the impression that, despite the hours of repetition (to which teenagers naturally respond with eye-rolling), everyone is actually having a good time - including the adults. Like a standup comedian, Linda Davis cracked jokes while she prepared the microphone for self-expression questions. She's been helping the girls with their talent since the summertime. "Not every girl plays the piano, or feels confident that she has a singing voice, or has taken tap lessons throughout her life. She'll say, 'I don't have a talent,' and I'll say, 'Yes you do, and it's up to us to get a talent out of you,'" said Davis, who has an idea of what the judges will be seeking in a talent because she worked as the judge's chairman for the last three years.
Kim Puder conducts a massive crossisland scavenger hunt with sponsors every year for the girls and their chaperones, whose job is to support and assist the contestants - many of whom keep everything down to their gowns a secret from their parents until the night of the competition. Personal trainer and aerobics instructor Jill Sandole is choreographing the fitness component - but has also helped the girls, many of whom are on varsity teams, treat sports injuries. It is because of the amazing contributions of community members like these - in addition to the remarkable generosity of the island - that the program was recognized nationally.
McDonough-Thayer agreed, and added that she speaks weekly with the friends she made at the state competition - which also had a strong national presence. Last year's Massachusetts' Junior Miss, Colleen Megley from North Attleboro, took first runner-up at the AJM national pageant. This year's Nantucket Junior Miss will compete at the Massachusetts 2007 Junior Miss State Program Preliminary on Feb. 23 at the Horace Mann Auditorium in Franklin, Mass. The state's final competition occurs the following day. The winner goes on to compete at the national competition in Mobile, Ala. Last year, the winner of the title of America's Junior Miss received a $50,000 cash scholarship to use at the college of her choice. Nantucket Junior Miss winners have gone on to represent Massachusetts twice in the competitions history: Suzette Gardner (1984) and Melissa Kaye Bonvini (1993).
"Appreciate and enjoy what is going on right now, because you're going to miss it so much when its over," McDonough Thayer said as a word of advice to the girls competing. "The week before is difficult and trying - you're with these girls almost 24 hours a day - but really you work with them to put on something amazing. Enjoy it while you can."
I THE 29TH ANNUAL NANTUCKET JUNIOR MISS
Nantucket's Junior Miss, including answers to a practice self-expression question - "What is your favorite place on Nantucket?" Erin Teresa Lindsay Parents: Brenda Noll & Stephen Lindsay Activities: Varsity Field Hockey - Captain, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Lacrosse, Accidentals, Spanish Club, Breakfast Buddies Ambition: Engineer College Choice: Williams College
Talent: Vocal Performance Chaperone: Nikki Finch "My favorite place on Nantucket is Ladies' Beach. I used to go there as a child with my mother and, now that I'm a teenager, I spend a lot of time there with my friends. It's a fun place to hang out and it's great in the summer, because there aren't many tourists." Phoebe Claire McKee Parents: Melissa & Peter Panchy & Peter McKee Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Sailing, Veritas- Assistant Editor, Spanish Club, Student Council, Breakfast Buddies Ambition: Communications/International Relations College Choice: Brown University Talent: Piano Chaperone: Betsey Johnson "My favorite place on Nantucket would be the path near Miacomet Beach, because
it's where I like to go running in the fall and it's a place where I can think quietly. It's very serene." Jaime Rae Trimble Parents: Lori Folger & Fred Trimble Activities: Spanish Club, MADD, Breakfast Buddies Ambition: Cosmetologist College Choice: Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School Talent: Comedy Skit Chaperone: Megan Smith "My favorite spot on Nantucket would have to be my job. I work at Suzanne's Hair Salon. I love everybody I work with, and it's a place I can go to be stress free." Adrienne Nicole Costakes Parents: Stacy & Tom Fusaro, Andrew & Joanne Costakes Activities: P.P.A.A., French Club,
Accidentals, Veritas, Culinary Arts Club Ambition: Photographer College Choice: Chester College of New England/New England College of Photography Talent: African Dance Chaperone: Shannon Cronan "My favorite place on Nantucket is Nobadeer Beach, because I think it's the only place on Nantucket to be totally stress-free and relaxed." Nicole Maureen Michetti Parents: Mary & Paul Michetti Activities: Varsity Gymnastics, Fashion Design, Needlepoint, Knitting, Arrowhead Hunting Ambition: Fashion Design/Photography College Choice: Lasell College Talent: Comedy Routine Chaperone: Crystal Ray "I would have to say my favorite place on the island is Cisco Beach. It is the best place to take photographs of the sunset, where the clouds are a beautiful pink, and the sun is gorgeous when it's setting. I love to be near the beach." Taryn Nicole Dilworth Parents: Debbie & Kimbrough Dilworth Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Lacrosse, Accidentals, Spanish Club, Community Service Club, Drama Club, Breakfast Buddies Ambition: Journalist/Writer College Choice: Emerson College Talent: Piano Chaperone: Pam Lawrence "My favorite place on Nantucket would have to be the cranberry bogs during autumn, towards winter. I have to say this is because I've gone there since I was a child, and it's the one place where there aren't many houses around and you can truly feel close to nature." Fraser Elizabeth Long Parents: Melissa & Dean Long Activities: Varsity Field Hockey - Captain, Veritas, Literary Magazine - Co- Editor & Co-Founder, Breakfast Buddies, Ski Club, Student Government, Culinary Arts Club, Dance Ambition: Undecided College Choice: Columbia University Talent: Modern Dance Chaperone: Andrea Lamb Hillary Moran Driscoll Parents: Carol & James Driscoll Activities: Veritas - Entertainment Editor, Peer Mediator, Yearbook Committee, P.P.A.A., S.A.D.D. - President, Spanish Club - Vice President, GSA Book Club, Breakfast Buddies, Amnesty International, Volleyball Club, Drama Club Ambition: Filmmaker/Journalist College Choice: American University Talent: Comedy Skit Chaperone: Cheryl Fox - Buckley "I would have to say my favorite place on Nantucket is my climbing tree in my backyard because I like to climb up there at night and watch the stars. It's so nice to live on Nantucket, where the sky is nice and clear." Sarah Mohamed Nabulsi Parents: Marie & Mohamed Nabulsi Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Accidentals, Drama Club Ambition: Author/Journalist College Choice: Emerson College Talent: Vocal Presentation Chaperone: Beth Valero "My favorite place on Nantucket is a field known as White Rabbit. I have a lot of memories there from eighth grade and on. I go there sometimes to walk and to think or when I'm really stressed out." Stephanie Michelle Norris Parents: Kimberly & Don Sparks Activities: Athletic Training, Ski Club, French Club, Yearbook Committee, Peer Mediation, Natural Helpers, P.P.A.A., Knitting Club, National Honor Society Ambition: Business College Choice: Quinnipiac University Talent: Comedic Dance Chaperone: Michele Cranston "I would have to say my favorite place on Nantucket is Tom Nevers, because of how tranquil the atmosphere is and the great memories I've shared out there." Kelsey Anne Day Parents: Nancy & Bob Day Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Junior Varsity Basketball, P.P.A.A., Breakfast Buddies Ambition: Fashion Merchandise College Choice: Lasell College Talent: Presentation Chaperone: Meghan Wiley "If I were to choose a place on the island that's perfect for me, it would be Schneidy's Beach for many reasons. I was brought up there with my family. I've spent so much time there with my friends. I have had many longnight cookouts and, overall, a really great experience on that beach. It's beautiful." Kerry Kathleen Fee Parents: Katy & John Fee Activities: Class President, P.P.A.A., Surf Club, Spanish Club, Accidentals, National Honor Society Ambition: Musician/Broadcasting College Choice: Chapman University Talent: Guitar Chaperone: Sarah Ray "I would have to say my favorite place on Nantucket is Cisco Beach, whether it's for surfing or a place to collect my thoughts or a place to watch the sunset. I feel as though I'll always be part of the beach, and I hold some of my fondest memories there." |
for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
