[1]BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–Acteens from 11 states have been tapped by Woman’s Missionary Union to serve on the 2000 National Acteens Panel and as 2000 Top Teens.
The 26 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.
In a related matter, two Acteens were awarded the Jessica Powell Loftis Scholarship for Acteens. The recipients — Cassie Androes of Rogers, Ark., and Kristel Joy O’Malley of Collierville, Tenn. — will receive $1,500 each. The WMU executive board awarded the scholarships.
Selected to serve on the six-member 2000 National Acteens Panel (with hometown in parentheses) are: Cassie L. Androes, First Baptist Church, Rogers, Ark.; Laura Borrego, First Baptist Church, South Houston, Texas (La Porte); Connie Cooper, First Baptist Church, Dickson, Tenn.; Rebecca Ann Damery, First Baptist Church, Rochester, Ill. (Springfield); Tera Brooke Hayes, Dudley Shoals Baptist Church, Granite Falls, N.C.; and Amy E. Travis, First Baptist Church, Murray, Ky.
Twenty Acteens were named 2000 National Acteens Top Teens. (City in parentheses is hometown). They are: from Arkansas: Sarah Jeanette Thompson, First Baptist Church, Arkadelphia; Georgia: Meg Olive, First Baptist Church, Columbus; Florida: Christie Ganley, New Zion Baptist Church, Graceville; Kentucky: Melissa Michelle Milliken, Middleton Baptist Church, Franklin; Mississippi: Kimberly Cole, First Baptist Church, Brandon, and Kellie Elizabeth Pickens, Liberty Baptist Church, Blue Springs;
North Carolina: Lindsey (Erin) Thacker, Dudley Shoals Baptist Church, Granite Falls; Oklahoma: Kinsey Leigh Henson, Twelve Corners Baptist Church, Washington, and Victoria Leigh Kelley, First Baptist Church, Tulsa; South Dakota: Stacey Annette Martin, Cascade Road Baptist Church, Hot Springs; Tennessee: Ellie Anderson, First Baptist Church, Dresden; and Cheri Perkins, Cottage Grove Baptist Church, Dresden; and
[2]Texas: Rachel Bell, First Baptist Church, South Houston (Houston); Megan Breed, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler; Wittney Gene Cox, First Baptist Church, Humble, (Kingwood); Blythe Chapman, First Baptist Church, Amarillo; Claire Day, First Baptist Church, Holliday (Lakeside City); Alyssa Delyn Horne, First Baptist Church, San Antonio; Sara Johnson, First Baptist Church, Humble; and Sally Ruiz, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston.
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.
“The committee had a wonderful and difficult time selecting the 2000 Acteens Panelists and Top Teens,” said Becky England, youth resources editor for WMU and chair of the selection committee. “These girls have such devotion to missions and excitement about serving God. They are also very strong communicators, and very involved in school and community as well as church. I hope they will have many opportunities to speak to WMU audiences this year, because they are the teenage face of WMU, and it’s exciting!”
The panelists will be featured in the May/June 2000 issue of Accent, with the Top Teens appearing in the July/August issue. The teens will also write for Accent throughout the year. Accent is the magazine produced by WMU for Acteens.
During 2000, panelists and top teens will provide leadership in state and associational WMU-related meetings. Panelists also will serve as pages at the June 11-12 WMU Annual Meeting and June 13-14 Southern Baptist Convention, both in Orlando.
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*Name changed for security concerns.