Eleven young ladies from across St. Clair County are set to compete in the 2011 St. Clair County Jr. Miss Scholarship Program. The pageant begins at 6:30 p.m. June 5 in the auditorium at Springville Middle School.

The 11 contestants are Elise Adkins, Katrina Clayton, Savannah Pritchett, Rachal Ezell, Courtney Elders, Meagan Freeman, Keri Meads, Hannah Martin, Whitney Bryant, Jada Curtis and Gina Heilman.

This week, the St. Clair Times features Elise Adkins, Katrina Clayton and Savannah Pritchett.

Elise Adkins

Elise Adkins is a 17-year-old junior at Moody High School. She is the daughter of Ronnie and Melissa Adkins of Moody. She has always attended the Moody schools.

She is a member of the MHS Beta Club, the Sigma Delta Phi Honor Society, Relay for Life, captain of the MHS Blue Diamonds Danceline and high school choir.

Adkins said she became interested in the local Jr. Miss Program because she has watched many of her friends compete in it in past years.

“In the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of the Jr. Miss Little Sister Program,” said Adkins. “I love the fact that Jr. Miss looks at what is in your heart and what is in your mind and not your outward appearance.”

For her talent, Adkins will perform a jazz dance to “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins.

Adkins is attending Jeff State Community College through the duel enrollment program. She just received a summer studies scholarship.

After high school, she will attend the University of Alabama and major in public relations.

Katrina Clayton

Katrina Clayton, 17, is the daughter of Scott and Maja Clayton of Moody. She is a junior at Moody High School. She home-schooled through Crossroads Christian School and started attended Moody High School as a sophomore. Clayton is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and is a varsity cheerleader.

When asked why she became interested in the St. Clair County Jr. Miss, Clayton said many of her friends have participated in the Jr. Miss in the past.

“I felt it would be a great experience for me,” she said. “

For her talent, Clayton will play the piano, a classical piece entitled “Solfeggio,” by Carl Bach.

Her plans after high school are to attend Auburn University and then on to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s dentistry school.

She is a member of Community Presbyterian Church in Moody.

Savannah Pritchett

Savannah Pritchett, 16, is the daughter Lee and Leigh Pritchett of Pell City. She is home-schooled through Crossroads Christian School in Moody.

She is a member of the Key Club and is the club’s new president.

When asked why she became involved in the St. Clair Jr. Miss, Pritchett said she was encouraged by her long-time friend Carol Hornsby.

“I want to be involved in a program like this,” Pritchett said. “They promote (being) the best you can be on the inside first and it would show on the outside.”

For her talent, Pritchett will do a dramatic recitation from I Corinthians 13.

After high school, Pritchett plans to pursue a career as a children’s ministry director. She said she probably will attend UAB and then go on to seminary after that.