[1]BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–Acteens from 10 states have been tapped by Woman’s Missionary Union to serve on the 2001 National Acteens Panel and as 2001 Top Teens.
The 21 teenagers were selected by national WMU staff from Acteens members nationwide who applied to serve on the national panel. Acteens is the missions organization sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union for girls in grades seven through 12.
Three Acteens also have been awarded the Jessica Powell Loftis Scholarship for Acteens. The recipients — Rebecca Cobb of Chicago, Erica Harms of Franklin, Tenn., and Jessica Rudisill of Crouse, N.C. — will receive $1,150 each. The WMU executive board awarded the scholarships.
Selected to serve on the six-member 2001 National Acteens Panel are Kimberly Cole, First Baptist Church, Brandon, Miss.; Christie Ganley, First Baptist Church, Graceville, Fla.; Virginia Elisa Gee, Calvary Baptist Church, Kent, Wash.; Mary Head, Bluegrass Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tenn.; Danielle Mae King, First Baptist Church, Woodway, Texas, (Waco); and Sally Ruiz, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. (City in parentheses is hometown.)
Fifteen Acteens were named 2001 National Acteens Top Teens. (City in parentheses is hometown). They are: from Arkansas: Kerry Jones, Park Hill Baptist Church, Sherwood; Kansas: Michelle Dunn, Metropolitan Baptist Church, Leavenworth; Louisiana: Becky Bellon, St. Clair Baptist Church, Boyce; Missouri: Jennifer McFadden*, Marshall.
Mississippi: Kellie Elizabeth Pickens, Liberty Baptist Church, Blue Springs; Oklahoma: Charlotte Catherine Wade, First Baptist Church, Vinita; Tennessee: Kelly Lane Davis, Haywood Hills Baptist Church, Nashville, and Clara Suzanne Fitzpatrick, First Baptist Church, Camden.
[2]Texas: Nicole Beatty, First Baptist Church, Humble; Jordan Elisabeth Brown, First Baptist Church, Bay City; Amy Byers, First Baptist Church, Holliday; B. Chapman, First Baptist Church, Amarillo; Sara Beth Farris, University Heights Baptist Church, Huntsville; Sara Johnson, First Baptist Church, Humble; and Sharon Josefy, Crestview Baptist Church, Midland.
Selection of panelists and top teens is based on accomplishments in MissionsQuest, the individual achievement plan for Acteens; involvement in Acteens and other church activities; and achievements in school, scholastically and socially. In addition to their applications and written testimonies, candidates had to be recommended by their pastor and Acteens leader.
“We continue to be excited about the quality of young women who are involved in Acteens,” said Pam Smith, WMU ministry consultant for youth. “Our National Acteens Panel members are leaders among their peers who exemplify the very best Christian commitment, leadership potential, and personal character and integrity.”
The panelists will be featured in the May/June 2001 issue of Accent, with the Top Teens appearing in the July/August issue. Some of the teens also will write for Accent throughout the year. Accent is the magazine produced by WMU for Acteens.
During 2001, panelists and top teens will provide leadership in state and associational WMU-related meetings. Panelists will also serve as pages at the June 10-11 WMU Annual Meeting and June 12-13 Southern Baptist Convention, both in New Orleans.
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(BP) photos posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo titles: KIMBERLY COLE, CHRISTIE GANLEY, VIRGINIA GEE, MARY HEAD, DANIELLE KING, SALLY RUIZ.
*Name changed for security concerns.