It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the 30th anniversary of the Portage Junior Miss Scholarship Program. 
For twenty-nine years respected teacher/director Mr. Joe Stevens has provided the kind of leadership that has made the Portage program one of the premiere programs not only in the state, but also in the nation. The program has produced three State winners: Julie Witka-Anderson (1992), Krissy Jones (2007), and Whitney Johnson (2009). Portage’s program also won “Best Program in the State” in 2007. Portage Junior Miss (PJM) has enabled Portage to be nationally recognized in this arena. PJM is one of Portage’s bright shining stars and continues to promote personal and academic achievement in young women. Portage’s 2006 Junior Miss Amanda Morales said it best when she described the scholarship program’s fundamental goal as “to aid young women in discovering, developing, and sharing with society the best of what is inside of them.”
It is now with great joy and humility that I take the reins from my mentor Joe Stevens, who retired last June, and strive to maintain the program at its current high standard. I know I cannot do it alone. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a community as wonderful as Portage to provide the scholarships necessary to maintain the program at this caliber. Portage Junior Miss awards $9000 in scholarships to twenty-four award-winning contestants. PJM believes in trying to recognize as many of the contestants as possible, for each has a different strength.
I hope you will consider being a part of the rich tradition that is Portage Junior Miss. If you would be willing to make a donation to this scholarship program, please see the attached contract. All checks can be made out to Portage High School. If you would rather make a gift certificate, free service, or prize donation, that can be set up as well. Donations in any amount are appreciated. If you or your business would like to be acknowledged in our program, the deadline is Friday, May 14. However, donations can be made at any time throughout the year.
Please consider attending one of our preliminary nights on Friday, May 14, Saturday, May 15, or Friday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. or the Finals Night on Saturday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Portage High School East Auditorium. Watch and enjoy as 2010 Portage Junior Miss Nessa Junyanid crowns one of this year’s forty-five worthy contestants.
Respectfully,
Carrie Martin-Smith
Junior Miss Director
(219) 764-6152