Cambell teen makes it to top 16

CAMPBELL -- Campbell Memorial High School graduate Niki Stamos finished in the sweet 16 of the America's Junior Miss National Finals.
The pageant was broadcast live Friday night from Mobile, Ala., on the PAX channel. The show was co-hosted by "Inside Edition" host Deborah Norville and football great Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins. Stamos, the daughter of Mara and Peter Stamos, was one of 16 finalists from contestants throughout the country. She also received a $2,500 Fitness Award, sponsored by Bally Total Fitness. Judges scored contestants on a choreographed aerobic routine for the prize.
Contestants were judged in five categories: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and poise. Stamos' talent was ballet.
By winning the state level, Stamos received $7,600 in cash scholarships for her education. She is enrolled in the joint medical program at Youngstown State University and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.
She 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.
Past AJM participants include celebrities Diane Sawyer, Kim Basinger, Debra Messing, Kathie Lee Gifford and Norville.
Since it began in 1957, more than 700,000 young women have participated in the pageant and more than $75 million in scholarships has been awarded to high school seniors.