St. Clair County Junior Miss Elise Adkins during the self-expression competition of the state program.
Elise Adkins performs during the physical fitness portion of the state program.
Although Shelby County’s Danielle Dubose was named the new Alabama Junior Miss, Adkins said her time there Jan. 7-15 was the experience of a lifetime.
“I made so many new friends and am so grateful for the experience,” said Adkins, the daughter of Ronnie and Melissa Adkins of Moody.
While in Montgomery, Adkins shared a room with another contestant in the home of host family, Michael and Lisa Jones.
“They were the best host parents I could have ever asked for,” Adkins said.
“They welcomed her into their home, took wonderful care of our daughter and made her feel so special,” Melissa Adkins said.
Adkins, a senior at Moody High School, roomed with Monroe County’s Junior Miss, Kendall Garrett from Uriah, Ala. “She was such a great roommate,” Adkins said. “We had so many things in common and were so glad we were chosen to be roommates.”
“They were a perfect match,” said Melissa Adkins.
Rehearsals lasted most of each day, but there were times for field trips, such as a visit to the Montgomery Zoo and luncheons to the Kiwanis Club and the Cattleman’s Association.
“I had so much fun meeting so many new people and bonding with so many girls,” Adkins. “I am so thankful and blessed to be from such a supportive county. Everyone knew that St. Clair County was represented in the crowd.”
Adkins is thankful to everyone for the flowers, cards, e-mails and gifts that were sent to her while she was in Montgomery.
“Most importantly, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers,” she said. “I felt such a peace that week, and I know that is was because of the power of everyone’s prayers. Competing in this program was such a blessing, not only for the experience, but because of the scholarship opportunity.”
Adkins will be attending the University of North Alabama on a full-tuition scholarship.
“I am just proud of Elise and the poise and grace she showed onstage and after the program,” said her grandmother Nancy Myers. “She did such an excellent job in the self-expression part of the program. She is a winner in my eyes, and what a wonderful opportunity she had to represent St. Clair County.”
Myers noted that they all had a wonderful time in Montgomery with family and friends who came to support Elise.
“I was so impressed with the program and how much scholarship money was given to the contestants,” Myers added. “The girls were all so talented, physically fit and beautiful. I also want to thank the St. Clair County Junior Miss committee who guided and supported Elise.”
Adkins’ parents beamed with pride, seeing their daughter compete with girls from across the state. “Just seeing Elise on that stage and knowing that by being there at Junior Miss she was making one of her dreams come true was a wonderful and overwhelming feeling,” Melissa Adkins said. “It was an amazing experience for her and one that she will never forget.”
Melissa said it was exciting to see her daughter for the first time after a whole week. “We saw her on stage Friday night, but we didn’t get to hug her and talk to her until Saturday morning,” she said. “Elise has had so much support from family and friends, and we are so thankful for this.”
Ronnie Adkins said on Elise’s interview day, there was a prayer chain going that prayed for her to have peace and to do her best.
“She told us that night that she felt a peace all day long, and that she wasn’t nervous and felt like she did her best,” Ronnie Adkins said. “The St. Clair County Junior Miss Committee does a great job with our local program, and it really is like a state program just on a smaller scale. They supported Elise with prayers, gifts and great advice.”
St. Clair County Junior Miss Director Carol Hornsby said Adkins continues to be a first-class young woman in every way.
“She has a remarkable, sweet personality, and her dedication to this scholarship program is apparent every day,” Hornsby said. “Elise obviously has touched the lives of many people, as she had a huge, loud cheering section in Montgomery. She earned a four-year tuition scholarship to the University of North Alabama as a result of her commitment and superb performances at the state program. We commend her accomplishments, and know that she has a bright future.”
Adkins said of her experience, “Junior Miss has truly been such a blessing in my life, and I am truly thankful to everyone who has helped me along this journey,”
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
