Marengo County’s Junior Miss 2006 pageant was held Saturday, June 25 at the Canebrake Theater at the Old School in Demopolis.

Rachel Lynne Tucker, a senior at Demopolis High School, was crowned Marengo County Junior Miss 2005. She also won in the self-expression, talent, and physical fitness categories. Tucker was voted the Spirit of Junior Miss by the other contestants and is the alternate scholastic achiever. The future engineer received $3,450 in scholarships and will go to Montgomery to represent Marengo County in the 2006 Alabama Junior Miss program in January.

If, for some reason, Tucker cannot fulfill her duties as Junior Miss, Lauren Lewis, the first alternate, will step up. Lewis, a senior at Patrician Academy, was the Signature Contest winner. The future educator won the scholastic achievement category and $2,000 in scholarships. Lewis is also the alternate in the self-expression and talent categories.

Savanna Dickson is the second alternate. Dickson, a senior at Sweet Water High School, won $500 in scholarships.

Ashley Richerson, a senior at Marengo High School, won $200 in scholarships and is the alternate in the physical fitness category.

Other contestants include:

Cala Anderson of Sweet Water High School, Jelicia McIntosh of Marengo High School, and, Lara Tucker of Demopolis High School.

The contestants were judged on qualities and characteristics that make up the total young woman. Forty-five percent of the contestants’ final score included personality, physical well-being, creativity, human relations and scholarship. On-stage presentations, including fitness, self-expression, and talent, counted for the rest of the score.

“This group gave a wonderful performance Saturday night,” said Lindsy Gardner, organizer for the pageant. “They have practiced over the past two months to learn routines, and practice interview questions. And during all that hard work, they still managed to have a great time.”

The program was first introduced to Marengo County in 1967 and changed its title from the West Alabama Junior Miss program to the Marengo County Junior Miss program in 1977. Push-ups have been added to the program within the past 10 years to showcase the young women’s’ stamina and fitness and an on-stage statement tests the ladies under pressure.

Gardner said the program was a great success and she is “extremely proud” of all the girls.

Thirty years into the program, the pageants continue to challenge young women to be their best, to make friends that last a lifetime, and use their talents to earn money for the college of their choice.