By By Lydia Grimes
features reporter
Twelve rising seniors in Escambia County are vying for scholarship opportunities through this year’s Junior Miss program.
The 2010 Escambia County Junior Miss Scholarship Program will be held on Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. at Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton.
A total of ten scholarships will be awarded to the following: 2010 Escambia County Junior Miss; First Alternate; Second Alternate; overall winner in Academics, Interview, Talent, Fitness, and Self Expression; Be Your Best Self Essay winner; and the Spirit of Junior Miss recipient. Tickets are $5, and may be purchased from Junior Miss contestants or at the door.
This year’s contestants are Tristan Collum, Allie Rush, Maria Ramos, Cierra Moye, Ashleigh Ward, Taylor Hunt, Lauren Kirkland, Whitney Johnson, Mallory Mullis, Kimberly Rolin, Whitney Hoomes, and Sheena-Marie Currie.
Tristan Lauren Collum, daughter of Chris and Lori Collum, is a student at T.R. Miller High School. She will perform ballet en pointe to “Paquita Variation” by Leon Minkus. Collum is a member of FCCLA; Book of Acts Youth Group; Brewton Dance Ballet Company; T.R. Miller majorette; Jazz Team with Brewton Dance Company; marching and concert band; Pep Club; and Spanish Club. Her awards are, Jazz Team, first place; Jazz Team, gold; T.R. Miller Majorette Award; T.R. Miller Band Award; and a part of the marching band contest which won superior 1’s. Her Little Sister is Breanne Bryant.
Allie Lanora Rush, daughter of Dru and Connie Rush, is a student at Cornerstone Christian School. She will perform “Impatience” in G minor, Op. 45, No. 18 by Stephen Heller on the piano. Rush’s achievements are piano audition for From the Top Program; Blount Slawson Young Artist piano audition; page for Lt. Governor Jim Folsom Jr. for two years; National Piano Guild; lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA; church praise band; Presidential Advisory Council on Financial Literacy; 4-H Club; Church of God Teen Talent regional winner, piano, drama; and 4-H Regional and State Photography Winner. Her Little Sister is Hannah Darby.
Maria Alexus Ramos, daughter of Steve and Stephanie Ramos, is a student at T.R. Miller High School. She will perform a monologue from “Coathanger Sculpture” from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown by Charles Shultz. Ramos achievements are Youth Leadership; National Honor Society; Science Olympiad; Kaleidoscope staff; FCCLA; Pep Club; A-B  honor roll; class representative; and Community South Pacific play.
Cierra Jenelle Moye, daughter of Donald and Wendy Moye, is a student of Escambia County High School. Her talent will be baton twirling to “What I Like About You” marching band version. Moye is the captain of the Escambia County High School majorettes. She is a member of the ECHS band, flute; National Honor Society member; Youth Leadership, Atmore 2009; and a member of First Assembly of God Church. Her Little Sister is Morgan Nichols.
Ashleigh Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Don and Cindy Ward, is a student at T.R. Miller High School. She will perform “Forever Rachel” by Nobuo Uematsu on the piano for her talent. Her achievements are Top Ten in class; First Baptist Church Mentor and Small Groups; a majorette/colorguard of the T.R. Miller Band; yearbook staff; Pep Club; Spanish Club; Kaleidoscope staff; FCCLA; National Honor Society; SGA Class representative; first chair, second clarinet in T.R. Miller Band; District Honor Band; Most Valuable Player in Band; and Humane Society volunteer. Her Little Sister is Jordan Marshall.
Taylor Leanne Hunt, daughter of Randy and Tina Hunt, is a student at T.R. Miller High School. She will dance to “Crazier” by Vittorio Monti. Her is a member of Brewton Dance Studio Dance Team; National Honor Society; FCCLA; Pep Club; Band; after school counselor at YMCA; Book Club; Science Olympiad; Spanish Club; accepted to Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine; first at Artistic Kid’s Revue Dance competition; Gold at Applause Dance competition; South Alabama Model United Nations Officer; Science Olympiad Towers Silver at State; nominated National Society of High School Scholarship to Huntingdon for Science Olympiad. Her Little Sister is Madison Floyd.
Lauren Suzanne Kirkland, daughter of Jack and Susan Kirkland, is a student at Briarwood Christian Academy. She will perform “Czardas” by Vittorio Monti on the violin. Kirkland’s achievements include Alabama All-State Orchestra; Florida All-County Honor Orchestra; Phi Theta; Kappa-JDCC; Fine Arts church competition; Switched on Baroque string ensemble; Escambia County Youth Orchestra-Florida; Pianist for Fallen Into Grace, youth worship team; member of Powerhouse Church youth group; member of the String of Praise, violin ensemble; assistant church pianist; Seventh in the nation for violin duet, fine arts; first in the state for piano and violin solo, fine arts; second chair in Florida’s All County Honor Orchestra; second chair in Switched on Baroque String Ensemble; second chair in Escambia County Youth Orchestra; and tenth chair second violin, Alabama All-State Festival. Her Little Sister is Ande Gideons.
Whitney Vona Johnson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Johnson, is a student at Escambia County High School. She will dance to “Boom Boom Pow” by the Black Eyed Peas. Johnson’s achievements include, Escambia County High School colorguard, Upward Bound Trio Program; Atmore Chamber Ambassador; Youth Leadership Atmore; National Honor Society; Miss ECHS 2009; Relentless Student Ministries; Mt. Olive Baptist Youth Choir; Homecoming maid; Barbizon Modeling and Acting School graduate; Top 10 in Class; Most Outstanding Colorguard  member; National Honor Society secretary; and Habitat for Humanity. Her Little Sister is Taylor Helton.
Mallory Brooks Mullis, daughter of Debra and Ron Mullis, is a student at T.R. Miller High School. She will “Maple Leaf Rag” by Scott Joplin on the piano. Her achievements include, South Alabama Model Untied Nations, secretary general; Math Team; Cheerleader co-captain; Relay for Life Team; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Kaleidoscope editing team; Pep Club; Spanish Club; Tennis Team; Softball  and Volleyball Teams; National Honor Society member; selected for Rural Health Scholars Program; Top 10 in Class; student government  Treasurer in 2008-2009; Freshman class treasureer; Sophomore class representative; All-State Band participant; Honor Band participant; Solo and Ensemble Superior rating; and Habitat for Humanity. Her Little Sister is Elizabeth Nelson.
Kimberly Marie Rolin, daughter of Ray and Norma Jean Rolin, is a student at Escambia County High School. Her talent will be sign-lanuage to “Your Raise Me Up” by Selah. Her achievements include Youth Ministries, sign language, human video, and youth choir; Fellowship of Christian Students, secretary; National Honor Society; ECHS colorguard; co-editor for Atmorala Yearbook staff; Rotary Club Academic All-Star; A honor roll; ranked number six in class; National Honor Society; academic award for business/marketing; and Band. Her Little Sister will be Hillary Byrd.
Whitney Alice Hoomes, daughter of Oliver and Sharon Hoomes, is a student at Flomaton High Shool. She will dance to “Disturia” by Rhianna. Her achievements include, BETA Club; Future Business Leaders of America; Skills USA; Catawba Springs youth group; Variety Softball team; competition cheerleading; varsity volleyball; varsity basketball; HOSA president 2008; and FBLA secretary 2008. Her Little Sister is Cierra White.
Sheena-Marie Currie, daughter of Dan and Rhecy Currie, is a student at Escambia County High School. She will do martial arts to “I Want Everything.” Her achievements are, Student Government Association; National Honor Society; ECHS Marching/Concert Band; Scholars Bowl; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; St. Roberts Catholic Church; martial arts; Atmore city pool swimming teacher; Alabama Girls State delegate; Atmore Chamber Ambassodor; Atmore Rotay Club Academic All Star; ECHS Drum Major; District VIII Honor Band; and SEUS Honor Band. Her Little Sister is Rachel Martin.