2007 marks the 50th anniversary of America's Junior Miss. The national finals was held June 28, 29 and 30th at the Mobile Civic Center Theater in Mobile, Alabama where over $150,000 in scholarships was awarded. The current America's Junior Miss (2007), Nora Ali from Minnesota, was selected. Nora is the first AJM of the Muslim faith and is currently a student at Harvard.
From Source: More Info's: wcco.com - Minnesotan Wins America's Junior MissMinnesota's own Nora Ali became America's Junior Miss. This is only the second time in the 50-year history of the Junior Miss program a winner has come from Minnesota.
The competition awards scholarships to accomplished high school students. This is not a beauty pageant. Girls are judged on their academic achievements, interview skills, talent and fitness level.
Minnesota's Top Talent
Spend any time in 17-year-old Nora Ali's presence and you know this weekend was only the first of many high notes for this soon to be college freshman.
"I just want to start a business and maybe even start a bio-medical company with my older sister who does stem cell research. So I'm open to possibilities," said Nora.
Nora has already built up quite a resume. Her honors fill her home. From valedictorian to accomplished pianist, this teenager's poise and talent is as stunning as her looks.
"I've learned a lot about myself. This whole program taught me to be confident and just to be myself," she said.
Nora said she stumbled upon the Minnesota Junior Miss program last year when she was searching for scholarships online. After winning the local competition, Nora went on to win the state Junior Miss program, which then qualified her to compete at the National level. The program was held the last two weeks of June in Mobile, Ala.
"The platform of the program is 'Be Your Best Self', so I'm more confident now and I know the future is in good hands because of all the intelligent, talented girls I met there. The whole experience was awesome," said Nora.
This Junior Miss national win will help her pay part of her Ivy League education. She scooped up more than $60,000 worth of scholarships as part of the program over the past year. She took home top honors in four of five categories at the national level -- interview, talent, academics and self-expression (where she had to answer a question on the spot). At one point she was asked what her magazine headline would read.
"The headline would say 'Young woman surpasses Bill Gates as the greatest philanthropist of all time,'" she said laughing.
Lofty goals, but you don't have to look far to know it's not out of the realm of possibilities.
All in the Family
"My sisters are my favorite people in the whole wide world," she said.
It's true, Nora's talents are shared by her sisters. We did a story on the entire family two years ago. They are amazing!
Nora's parents emigrated from Bangladesh in 1977. They both earned their Ph.D.'s in chemistry and got jobs with 3M in St. Paul. Their three daughters were taught the value of hard work and the love of music. All three of them play the piano and all three are incredible students.
"My older sister is the smartest person on the planet -- for real!" says Nora. "I'm not just saying that because she's my sister. She helped me prepare for the interview portion of the competition."
Nora's older sister, Nicole, earned a scholarship to Harvard for stem cell research which she started at age 14. Nicole's heading into her senior year and plans to get her Ph.D. in biophysics.
"My little sister, she's so cute!" said Nora. "She's a piano prodigy and she's so nice. This morning she answered all of the phone calls and let me sleep. I joke with her that I now consider her my manager."
Younger sister Leeza is a rising 9th grader and just played at Carnegie Hall. Nora credits her parents for their success.
"How do you top that? Each one is amazing!" said Zaki, Nora's father.
"We are very lucky, God blessed us with amazingly intelligent, talented children," said Mahfuza, Nora's mother.
Any Sibling Rivalry?
You'd think with three talented sisters there would be some sibling rivalry. Not in this house.
"There's never been any competition between us ever, ever, ever," said Nora. "They're so supportive. It's incredible. My family is what makes me who I am."
Future for America's Junior Miss
Now as America's Junior Miss, the country will witness a star beginning to shine. Nora will head to New York in a few weeks and even join Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America, winner of America's Junior Miss in 1963. She will also attend Harvard in the fall, joining up with her older sister Nicole.
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