CAMPBELL Teen advances to Nationals

CAMPBELL-- Campbell Memorial High School graduate Niki Stamos joins a list of famous participants as she advances to America's Junior Miss National Finals in Mobile, Ala., on June 28.
Stamos, the daughter of Mara and Peter Stamos, was a Maria Tallchief Fellowship Recipient for Classical Ballet at Campbell, a Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Delegate, and a Yale University Junior Statesman Program Selectee.
By winning the state level, Stamos received $7,600 in cash scholarships to apply to her education.
She is enrolled in the joint medical program at Youngstown State and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.
The national competition offers her a chance to win a $50,000 cash scholarship or a portion of the $225,000 in cash awards that will be awarded.
Contestants are judged in five categories -- scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and poise.
Past AJM participants include Diane Sawyer, Kim Basinger, Deborah Norville, Julie Moran, Debra Messing, Kathie Lee Gifford and the late Mary Frann.
Since its inception in 1957, more than $75 million in scholarships has been awarded to high school seniors.
Participants in the 2002 National Finals have an average of 3.85 on a 4.0 scale.
"Junior Miss is a program that constantly encourages girls across the country to always put forward their best selves, no matter the task," Stamos said. "It is a program with which I am proud to be associated."