Kathryn Schaefers could be your typical pageant princess. She’s beautiful, smart and an accomplished ballerina.

But as Cullman County’s 2008 Junior Miss, Kathryn stands apart as a young woman honored for her dedication to service, education and discipline. Friday, Kathryn took her title to Montgomery to represent Cullman in Alabama’s Junior Miss Program.

“She’s a very special young lady,” Cullman County Junior Miss Chairwoman Patty Grier said. “Kathryn is everything a Junior Miss should be. … The more I get to know her, the more wonderful I know she is.”

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of events and information for Kathryn, 17, who only recently learned of the scholarship program from her guidance counselor at St. Bernard School, where she is a senior.

“This is the first time I’ve ever entered into anything like this,” she said. “I went into it totally blind.”

Her father, Mel, said he and his wife were very supportive of Kathryn’s decision to enter the competition once they learned of the scholarship opportunities available to contestants and winners. Nationwide, the America’s Junior Miss Program awarded more than $2 million in cash scholarships to contestants in 2007. Almost 200 colleges and universities offer grant scholarships for Junior Miss representatives as well.

“We still just had no idea how huge this is,” Mel said.

As a local Junior Miss contestant, Kathryn spent weeks rehearsing choreographed poise, fitness and dance routines alongside six other area high-school senior girls.

“I had no idea what to expect,” she said. “Before rehearsals, I was a little hesitant. I didn’t think I had a chance at winning, but (Grier) kept telling me the judges were looking for the whole package, not just someone with great grades or someone who is really talented.”

Kathryn said the first rehearsals were rough but as the program drew closer she realized how excited she was about the chance to be Cullman’s Junior Miss.

“The whole experience was just awesome,” she said. “This is a really great program.”

Kathryn competed in the county competition in December in areas of fitness, interview, self-expression, scholastics and talent. While the interview was tough, putting Kathryn in the spotlight about world issues and personal goals, the talent portion of the program was the most involved. For her performance, Kathryn showcased her decade of ballet and jazz studies with a modern ballet-inspired routine she choreographed.

“I love my talent routine,” she said. “It’s fun and it’s different.”

In the midst of her hectic schedule of school, choreographing routines for the St. Bernard dance team, working in the dance studio shop, teaching elementary ballet and taking advanced dance classes herself, Kathryn spent an additional one to two hours a day for the last few weeks perfecting her routine for Junior Miss.

At home, she and her mother, Arlean, constructed a flashy red costume to highlight her dance, complete with hand-glued sequins and rhinestones.

The hours of practice and hard work paid off for Kathryn when to her surprise, she was named Cullman County’s Junior Miss.

“I really couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Immediately, she was swept into plans for the state program, set for Jan.19. At orientation, Kathryn got to meet other local Junior Miss contestants, including the Junior Miss who will be her roommate for the nearly two-weeks she will spend living with a host family in Montgomery. While there, Kathryn will be learning and practicing routines for the state program and participating in other activities with contestants. However, she will be isolated from her family and friends until the big night.

“She’s not allowed to talk on the phone, we can’t e-mail her or see her until the program,” Arlean said. “She’s been away from us for a long time before, and I know this is for the best.”

“I’m nervous and excited,” Kathryn said. “I really like my host family and my roommate and I’m excited about getting to know them better. … But, I do love my cell phone and it’s going to be hard not to talk to anybody.”

Throughout the weeks of preparation, Kathryn said she was showered with support from her friends and pupils at the dance studio and the faculty and staff at St. Bernard.

“A lot of people from school are coming to Montgomery to see me,” she said. “They’ve made buttons and have all just been really excited for me.”

Regardless of whether she wins the state competition or not, Kathryn said she will always be a Junior Miss.

“This is something I want to be involved with forever,” she said. “I’m so glad I get the opportunity to be part of this and to represent Cullman County. This has meant a lot to me and made me a stronger person.”

Kathryn said after she graduates in May, she hopes to continue working with the St. Bernard dance team and start preparing for life as a college freshman at either Birmingham-Southern College or the University of Alabama. She intends to study dance education and business and dreams of one day, opening her own dance studio.