hello Junior Miss

Like a lot of people in these parts, some mysterious malady - I'll call it the &#8220fall crud” - struck me last me. Actually, it struck me dumb.

I went to the rehearsals for Junior Miss last Wednesday night. Virtually all the girls participating know me from some event, interview, et al., I have done with them.

When I walked down front, I heard &#8220Hi, Miss Angie” coming from all over the stage. I could only smile, do a parade wave and mouth a hello to them.

Thank goodness, after some over-the-counter meds and a day of rest at home Friday, my speaking voice and energy levels had returned by Saturday when I covered the event.

It went beautifully. The Camellia City Junior

Woman's Club has a knack for coming up with great themes, and its &#8220back to the ‘50s” choice for this year was no exception.

The stage was set up as &#8220Junior Miss Diner”, complete with snazzy convertibles and giant pennants representing each of the county's four high schools, which I am happy to say were all represented on stage that night.

I know from having covered this program in the past and watching the girls going through some grueling rehearsals, it is WORK for the participants and their &#8220little sisters,” juniors who are learning what the program is all about.

The girls spend hour after hour rehearsing their numbers, fine-tuning their individual talent presentations, assembling costumes, making posters, writing essays, being interviewed - it's a lot more than putting on some makeup, a pretty dress and high heels for one night.

Their scholastic record is also a determining factor in the process, so you could say they have been working toward this goal for quite a long time.

Such effort and ability deserves respect, and I am glad to say the audience was large, enthusiastic and well mannered. They were quiet when they needed to be quiet and attentive, and they cheered with vigor when it was appropriate to give &#8220their” girls a shout-out.

Congratulations to Elisa Campbell for taking home the Junior Miss medallion, along with awards in fitness, self-expression (think &#8220poise and appearance”) and the &#8220Best Your Best Self” award for her essay on that topic.

Kudos also go to Laura Tucker, first alternate and winner of the Spirit of Junior Miss award and Nancy Johnson, second alternate and winner of the scholastic award.

And I must not leave out Brittany Byrd, whose impressive performance of a selection from &#8220Phantom of the Opera” earned her the much-deserved talent award.

All 11 of the young ladies who took the stage Saturday can feel good about themselves and what they accomplished.

You are, indeed, all winners.

Thank you to everyone who have sent e-mails, made phone calls or simply stopped and spoken to me regarding the recent column and part I of the article on the topic of invisible chronic illnesses.

The feedback shows this is an issue that has struck a chord with many of our readers. In part II, I will look at how family members and friends can be supportive of loved ones with ICIs, along with some treatment options and support/educational resources out there to assist them. Look for the article in section A of today's paper.

Angie Long is Lifestyles reporter for The Greenville Advocate. She can be reached at 382-3111 ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate.com.