They've danced at a BBQ-
They've danced at a luau-
And they've only been here a few days!
Yes, if you want to be an America's Junior Miss, you'd better love to dance- because that's a big part of almost every event they'll attend.And that's ok. Our AJM reps are used to challenges. But the physical fitness performance is probably their biggest! It's a traditional part of being a Junior Miss. Every year they gather at the Spring Hill Baptist Activities Center to go over steps of the part of the National Finals show that stresses their strength and physical ability. It's choreography lead by a professional dancer and trainer. And it's not a cake walk. Just 8 days from now, they've all got to be perfect. And according to some of the girls, they're getting there.
"Today was our first day of doIng it full out, and so it was kind of chaotic at first. But by the third time and with the audience of Girl Scouts, we got it down." So says Iowa's Lisa McGonelgle. She says she was encouraged by members of local Girl Scout troops watching in the wings. They, in turn, were inspired by the Junior Misses.
"Because I like their dances," says 5 year old Abbie Foster.
"They have awesome dance moves!" echoes you Lila Lyons. She and fellow Girl Scouts are already offering California's Junior Miss a little encouragement of their own.
"And they also got me California Raisins that are milk chocolate covered!", says California's Jacqueline Rotman, wearing a custom t-shirt bearing her likeness. It's a gift for the scouts. But the raisins are welcomed after the strenuous workout.
"We started learning it on Tuesday and it's friday now," she says.
So how DO they do it in such a short amount of time? I've always wondered that! And this year, the secret is revealed, thanks to Lisa, Iowa's Junior Miss!
"We got the DVD ahead of time and we got to practice at home... and we were expected to know it when we got here so we actually have been working on it for a few weeks!"
In Mobile, Darwin Singleton, NBC 15 News.
