http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/09/24119-apg-youths-get-motivational-tips-from-greater-baltimore-junior-miss/

Children and youths at the Edgewood Area Youth Center received encouraging words and self-improvement tips during a visit from the 2010 Greater Baltimore Junior Miss Kristi Snyder as part of the Be Your Best Self program May 8.

A junior at John Carroll High School in Bel Air, Snyder won the honor in March during the Greater Baltimore Junior Miss Scholarship Program competition. Her duty for the year-long crown includes visiting and motivating young people in school and youth groups around the region.

Snyder said her goal was to encourage listeners to stay on track and keep thinking positive.

"I told them to be involved, ambitious, responsible, healthy and studious," she said, adding that her love of children makes it easier for her to connect to young listeners. She said the BJM program focuses on bringing out a person's best qualities.

"It's a good program that promotes what I think every person should try to live up to anyway," she said.

A question and answer session followed Snyder's talk, and she said the young listeners responded well.

"They asked great questions and were very expressive, just an awesome group of kids," she said.
Snyder said that after high school she plans to pursue a medical degree.

"I'd like to go into the medical field, pharmacology or pediatrics," she said adding that she's leaning toward pediatrics and the joy of helping young patients. "I'd love to take their fear away," she said.

Some of the children who sat in on Snyder's talk said they would remember her suggestions.

"She said 'be a leader, not a follower, and to say something nice to your mom before she goes to bed,'" recalled 3rd grader Sidney Alston-Hicks.

"Be yourself and don't let other people tell you what to do," added 5th grader Tae Vaughn Buie. "Be a leader and not a follower."

Renee Main, EAYC facility manager, said Snyder was "very impressive."

"She did a wonderful job presenting the Be Your Best Self program, and she set a good example of a youth with goals for the future," Main said. "It's refreshing to see that type of energy put to good use and not put into rebellious and inappropriate actions."

http://www.carrollcounty.com/articles/2009/07/12/news/local_news/5maryland_junior_miss.txt

“It was a complete shock,” Snyder said after being announced winner at Saturday night’s competition at Carroll Community College.

Kristi held the previous title of Greater Baltimore’s Junior Miss. She will be a senior starting in the fall at The John Carroll School in Bel Air.

Kristi tap-danced to “Step In Time” from the Broadway production of Mary Poppins for her talent portion of the competition and was also awarded the community service award.

Along with the title, Kristi will receive a $3,000 scholarship to be used at any college of her choice and a trip to Mobile, Ala., for America’s Junior Miss Finals in June 2010.

“It’s been the most amazing weekend,” Kristi said, adding that the experience was as good as winning.

The America’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program, based out of Mobile, Ala., seeks to provide scholarship opportunities for American girls.

From the 2009 program the total amount of scholarships awarded nationally was greater than $52 million.

Emily Paige Krause, Frederick County’s Junior Miss, came in second place, earning a $1,000 scholarship and Briana Kyrene Butler, Southern Maryland’s Junior Miss, came in third place, earning a $500 scholarship.

Ashleigh Omorogbe (Charm City's Junior Miss) was the Master of Ceremonies at Aberdeen High School's Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Induction. She sang America the Beautiful  to open the formal ceremony and presented the inductees with their awards.

Ashleigh said, "I enjoyed seeing Aberdeen Alumni who are successful and also extremely influential. It shows the students at this school that every single one of us is capable of making something of ourselves after graduation. It was an honor to be a part of such an important event. "

Scholarship program produces two Junior Misses
By Judy Taylor
Published: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 3:13 PM CDT

Seven young ladies took the stage at the Oak Crest Village Auditorium to vie for the titles of Greater Baltimore Junior Miss and Charm City's Junior Miss on Saturday, March 21.

The Greater Baltimore Junior Miss and Charm City's Junior Miss are a scholarship program for outstanding young women in Baltimore, Cecil and Harford Counties and Baltimore City.

The program has awarded more than $90 million in cash scholarships at all levels of the program. Participants in local pageants are eligible for college-granted scholarships from colleges and universities across the country. The contestants are judged in five categories. Scoring is based on 20% scholastics, 25% interview, 15% self-expression, 25% talent and 15% fitness.

Topping the field of seven were Kristi Ann Snyder of the John Carroll School who won the title of Greater Baltimore 's Junior Miss and Ashleigh Amen Omorogbe of the Science and Mathematics Academy who was named Charm City's Junior Miss. Both new titleholders reside in Bel Air.

Snyder entered the pageant after she heard of the competition from her dance teacher. Tap dancing to the song "Step in Time" from Broadway's "Mary Poppins," Snyder won the audience over with her bright personality and charm. It won the judges over also as she tied for the Talent title. Answering a question about celebrities as role models in the self-expression portion of the scoring showed how her quick thinking helped her garner the Scholastics and Interview category titles also.

"I can hardly wait for the state pageant," said the pert Snyder.

The fitness title of the competition went to Omorogbe. "I am so blessed to win this title," said Omorogbe who wooed the audience with her a'cappella rendition of Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All."

Omorogbe found the information about the pageant from a computer website. "I think pageants such as this help build self-confidence and make you stronger," she commented.

Named 1st runner-up in the pageant was Emily M. Hogan of Aberdeen High School. Hogan tied with Snyder in the Talent category with her flashy baton twirling to "I Like to Move it" from the movie "Madagascar."

Second Runner-up was Catonsville High School's Kelsey Holden. Holden performed a lyrical dance to "Time."

As the two highest-scoring contestants Snyder and Omorogbe will be going to the Maryland's Junior Miss competition on July 10 and 11 in Westminister. The winner of the Maryland's Junior Miss will represent Maryland at the America's Junior Miss national finals.

For their local win they each received a $200 cash scholarship for tuition, fees, or books, an official America's Junior Miss medallion, assistance in preparing for the Maryland's Junior Miss program, and several other significant gifts.

http://www.avenuenews.com/articles/2009/03/24/news/doc49c926f2b4410172317623.txt

We are thrilled that Monique Melton will be presenting a make-up application seminar for AJM Participants on April 26 at 1-2:30 p.m. in Baltimore.

Monique Melton initially became apart of the makeup artistry industry in the highly demanding retail community. She became more interested in the beautiful art of makeup and discovered her natural born talent. Her passion to become a professional and skilled artist led her through the training and experience required to become a certified makeup artist. Monique was trained through personal and professional experiences which helped her advance her skills as an artist and complete the necessary certification process. She was trained by one of Virginia’s foremost leading makeup artist who has worked in the industry for several years; through working with clients such as MAC, Lancôme, Estee Lauder, and fashion shows from the east to the west coast. Monique is trained and experienced in many areas of make up artistry, such as airbrush techniques, body art, bridal, period makeup, glamour, fantasy, black and white, versus color photography and much more. Monique Melton was born in Saint Louis, Missouri and she currently resides in the metro area of St. Mary’s County, Maryland. She has worked at MAC cosmetics as a freelance artist. Currently, she works with area hair stylist, photographers, film producers, spas, and models as a freelance makeup artist. She also owns and operates a private makeup artistry business, Favia’s Artistry. It caters to a variety of the elements in the beauty and fashion industry. She has participated in several fashion and hair shows, including Bonner Brothers, Golden Scissors, and Milky Way Hair shows. Her work has been seen on BET, television commercials and in print ads for yellow pages and style guide magazine. She is a very versatile and creative artist--always seeking new and better opportunities to grow as an artist and as a person. She uses her skills to assist other professionals in the industry in order to create beautiful masterpieces. Her philosophy of make artistry is to discover the inner beauty of each individual and treat his or her face and body as a canvas to be created into a stunning piece of art.

Picture: Charm City’s Junior Miss Ashleigh Omorogbe (left); Greater Baltimore’s Junior Miss Kristi Snyder (right)

PARKVILLE, MD– The Greater Baltimore Regional Junior Miss Scholarship Program, a preliminary to America’s Junior Miss, has awarded the title of Greater Baltimore’s Junior Miss 2010 to Kristi Snyder and Charm City’s Junior Miss 2010 to Ashleigh Omorogbe. The selection process was based on scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%). Snyder and Omorogbe were awarded on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Oak Crest Village in Parkville.

A current junior at The John Carroll School in Bel Air, Kristi Snyder is an aspiring pediatrician/pharmacologist. Her current activities include Captain of the school's tap dance team, Secretary of the Thespian Society, member of the school's orchestra (violin) and chorus, and active member of the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. She is frequently cast in school musicals. She has received honors and awards for her scholastic achievements and has qualified to be a Maryland Distinguished Scholar. Her interests and hobbies include horsemanship, reading, casual photography, traveling, cooking, caring for animals, and spending time with family and friends. Kristi enjoys volunteering for Brightview Assisted Living, Lorien, The John Carroll School, and the Harford Family House.

A current junior at the Science and Mathematics Academy at Aberdeen High School, Ashleigh Omorogbe is an aspiring cardiologist. Her activities include the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, Leadership Experience Opportunity Club (LEO), Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Varsity Soccer and Outdoor Track and Field, the Aberdeen High School Dance Company, Green Team, Spirit Club, and Talented Tenth, and St. Francis de Sales Church choir. She recently participated in the Black History Month Fashion and Talent Show. Ashleigh enjoys volunteering for the Friendship Adult Medical Day Center, St. Francis de Sales Church, SADD, and Aberdeen Athletics. She enjoys science, math, singing, dancing, soccer, modeling, running, and working out.

Both Kristi Snyder and Ashleigh Omorogbe will compete for the chance to represent Maryland at the national finals for a share of over $150,000 in scholarships and the title of America's Junior Miss 2010.

Complete awards results are as follows:

Greater Baltimore's Junior Miss 2010: Kristi Snyder
Charm City's Junior Miss 2010: Ashleigh Omorogbe
1st Runner Up: Emily Hogan
2nd Runner Up: Kelsey Holden
Talent Awards: Kristi Snyder and Emily Hogan
Fitness Award: Ashleigh Omorogbe
Scholastics Award: Kristi Snyder
Interview Award: Kristi Snyder

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2008
Contact: Danielle Singley (Public Relations Associate for Oak Crest Village)
Email: Danielle.Singley@erickson.com

PARKVILLE, MD—Oak Crest Village, managed and developed by Erickson Retirement Communities, is proud to announce it will host the Greater Baltimore Regional Junior Miss program on March 21, 2009. 

Colleen LoPresto, executive director of Oak Crest, states: "Oak Crest is very excited and honored to host the event.  We look forward to the opportunity to support a program that encourages the scholastic achievement and unique gifts of young women throughout the Baltimore area. This opportunity is complementary to the Erickson value of intergenerational sharing."

An Oak Crest resident committee will assist in coordinating all aspects for preparing the venue from lighting and sound to ticket production.

Elizabeth Borowsky, Maryland's Junior Miss 2001 and chairwoman of the program, states: "I am thrilled that the Greater Baltimore Regional Junior Miss program has a ‘home’ and very much excited about this new partnership with Oak Crest."

The Greater Baltimore Junior Miss program is open to young women in their high school junior year from Baltimore City or Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil Counties who have distinguished themselves at school and in their communities. The two highest-scoring contestants will advance to the state competition to compete for the chance to represent Maryland at the national finals with representatives from all 50 states for a share of over $150,000 in cash scholarships and the title of America's Junior Miss.

The registration deadline is February 15, 2009; for more information please visit www.baltimorejuniormiss.org.

About Oak Crest Village: More than 2200 people live at Oak Crest Village, an Erickson full-service retirement community that promotes a vibrant lifestyle.  Erickson Retirement Communities is one of the leading national developers of full-service retirement communities.  Headquartered near Baltimore, MD, Erickson has built an innovative network of 21 communities that combine a maintenance-free active lifestyle with an ever-expanding host of amenities, social activities, and wellness and medical centers, proven to improve both physical and mental health.  Erickson was named by FORTUNE as being one of the Top 100 "2008 Best Companies to Work For®."

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