Hundreds of family, friends and classmates turned out last Saturday night at the Greenville High School Auditorium to cheer on the eight young women vying for the title of 2006 Butler County Junior Miss.

It was a voyage "Under the Sea with Junior Miss" featuring a colorful Caribbean theme complete with mermaids, dolphins and pirate ships decorating the stage and lobby.

Only one of the eight high school seniors could take home the coveted Junior Miss medallion, a $2,000 cash scholarship and the right to represent the county in the state program in February.

That high school senior proved to be Lacey Norrell, daughter of David and Melissa Norrell of Greenville.

The Fort Dale Academy student swept the category awards, with top honors in fitness, self-expression (poise and appearance), talent, "Spirit of Junior Miss" and the "Be Your Best Self" essay award.

A $100 cash prize went with each of the five awards.

Fellow FDA student Maryanne Hancock, daughter of David and Leisha Hancock, was selected as 1st alternate.

Mallory Lee, daughter of Steve and Carol Lee, took 2nd alternate honors. Hancock took home $1,000 cash scholarship while Lee earned a $500 cash scholarship.

GHS student Amy Tillery, daughter of James and Connie Tillery, was recipient of the scholastic award.

Other participants included Terrell Brannon, Kendra Mitchell, Kimberlee Johnson and Trawick Smith.

"I thought all the girls did very, very well and we are so proud of them," Program Director April Smith said following the event.

Smith also lauded her fellow members of the Camellia City Junior Woman's Club, the sponsor of the annual county program, "for all their hard work in getting this together."

The eight young women, who had been interviewed by the panel of five evaluators earlier in the day, performed in self-expression, talent and fitness segments on stage that evening.

Norrell performed a humorous monologue as a naughty young student who has been sent to the principal's office.

Hancock danced a classical ballet en pointe from "Coppelia" while Lee gave an amusing performance of "Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long."

Other talent presentations included a twirling performance to "Do You Believe in Magic" by Kimberlee Johnson, a monologue on the creation by Kendra Mitchell, Terrell Brannon's vocal performance of "It's Almost Like Being In Love" and a trumpet solo of "A Whole New World" performed by Amy Tillery.

Eric Lindh, a professor at LBW, served as the evening's ever-entertaining emcee.

Vocalists Tera Bishop and Sabrina Reynolds, ballet dancer Salley Burkett, the 2005 Butler County Junior Miss, along with the Greenville Gymnastics team, all performed during the course of the evening.

While the Junior Miss participants posed for photos and shared congratulatory hugs, busy production staff members worked behind the scenes, taking down stage decorations – and heaving a collective sigh of relief.

"This was a tough routine, harder than the ones in years past, so I was very proud of how well the girls did," Lori Cummings, production choreographer, said.

Director April Smith said the event was, as always, a true team effort.

"We couldn't have done it without people like Lori and our production chair, Michelle Barrows, her parents, Billy Peavey and Angela Moseley, our club members and all our wonderful sponsors," Smith said.

"We look forward to having a great time at Garrett Coliseum in February as Lacey goes on to state."