By By Chandler Myers
Smiles lit up the auditorium at Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton Saturday, as seven girls competed for the opportunity to be named the 2009 Escambia County Junior Miss. At the end of the night Alaina Arnold was chosen by the judges.
The night started off with a welcome from the 2008 Escambia County Junior Miss Caitlyn Luttrell, the presentation of the colors and Pledge of Allegiance by members of the Girl Scouts and the National Anthem performed by the 1988 Escambia County Junior Miss, Mary Beth Lancaster.
Judging then began as the contestants performed an opening number to “On Broadway,” showed off their skills during a fitness competition and displayed talents for the audience.
Luttrell was then interviewed by the emcee, 1981 Dale County Junior Miss Starla Kelley Jones, about winning last year’s competition, her time as Junior Miss and her future plans.
Luttrell said the feeling of winning was a surprise and that she enjoyed every minute of her reign as Escambia County Junior Miss.
She added that she plans to attend college to study medicine.
After the interview with the outgoing Junior Miss, a self-expression speech was given by each contestant on a specific platform and then the judges left the auditorium to come to a decision.
Escambia Academy student Alaina Arnold was selected by the judges to represent Escambia County as the 2009 Junior Miss.
Arnold said she was excited to hear her name and never really thought she would win.
Arnold received an official medallion, a $3,000 cash tuition scholarship and a tuition scholarship to Jefferson Davis Community College for four semesters.
Arnold also won the self-expression ($500), talent ($550) and fitness competitions ($500), which added to the scholarship money she received by winning Junior Miss.
Andrea Nall won first alternate and won a $1,500 cash scholarship along with tying for the Spirit of Junior Miss award, worth $500.
Emily Moore won second alternate, which allows her to receive a $1,000 cash scholarship.
Kaitlyn Hambrick tied with Nall for the Spirit of Junior Miss award and will split the $500 and also won the scholastic award, worth $600.
Alysa Ford won the “Be Your Best Self Essay,” worth a $500 cash tuition scholarship.