Alison McArthur a ‘get-it-done’ volunteer

Alison McArthur is following in her dad’s footsteps of community service and volunteerism.

Her father, Clay Larkin, is the mayor of Post Falls, and it seems fitting that McArthur’s ultimate future goal is to represent North Idaho in the state Legislature.

“I want to be one of those people who make a difference in Idaho,” McArthur says.

She has already made a difference in most people’s minds.

McArthur, a 35-year Post Falls native and 1988 Post Falls High School graduate, has a reputation as a “get-it-done” community volunteer who is involved in just about everything.

McArthur’s latest passion is raising money for the Post Falls Junior Miss Scholarship Program. This year’s Junior Miss event is scheduled for next Saturday at Post Falls High School.

She became Post Falls Junior Miss chairwoman after the previous chairwoman, Alyssa Huft, moved out of state in 2003.

The Post Falls Junior Miss Committee recognizes outstanding young women in the Post Falls community each year with the Junior Miss Scholarship Program. The theme this year is “All That Jazz.”

Established in 1957 in Mobile, Ala., the Junior Miss Scholarship Fund accepts donations from corporate and private donors. There are no administration fees and 100 percent of the money collected locally is awarded locally.

“Whether it is $10 or $250, donations of any amount are accepted and help to ensure that the scholarship program continues,” McArthur says.

There are 19 Junior Miss contestants this year, an increase from the 14 contestants who participated in 2004.

Contestants are judged on interview, fitness, scholastic transcripts, self-expression, talent and Spirited Junior Miss, which is voted on by the young women before the event. Judges are recruited from outside the community and do not interact with the contestants.

More than 200 colleges and universities throughout the United States support America’s Junior Miss by offering scholarships through Junior Miss programs.

This year’s winner will receive $750 in scholarships plus a one-year tuition scholarship at North Idaho College. The first- and second-place winners also receive a one-year tuition scholarship to NIC.

The mission of Junior Miss is to emphasize education by providing scholarship opportunities to outstanding, college-bound high school girls, and to encourage personal development in all young people through the “Be Your Best Self” outreach program.

McArthur is a proud supporter of the “Be Your Best Self” program. The program challenges Junior Misses across the country to use a positive, personal approach when working with young people, and to encourage self-esteem which helps the young women to successfully deal with everyday challenges.

“Because they are positive role models, Misses are often asked by various organizations, especially elementary, middle, and high schools, to make personal appearances,” McArthur says.

Their message stresses the importance of incorporating seven elements of the “Be Your Best Self” program, which are living by moral principles, getting a good education, staying fit, proper nutrition, community service, setting goals, and working to reach them.

Junior Misses emphasize the importance to saying “no” to alcohol and other drugs, and stress the importance of literacy and education, families and relationships.

McArthur praises Glenda Kohoutek, Donagene Turnbow and Cheri Hodle, three volunteers who donate numerous hours to help with practices and various program details. Previous Junior Miss participants also help stage the event.

“There is a saying, once a Junior Miss participant, always a Junior Miss volunteer,” McArthur says. “And it’s true. Our participants do come back year after year to help.”

McArthur was sworn in as a Post Falls School Board Trustee in 2003, exactly 25 years to the date that her father was sworn in the same position. She also serves on the Post Falls Chamber Executive Board and was recently named by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, to the National Community and Volunteerism Board. The purpose of the board is to encourage community service and volunteerism in the state. She will chair the board in 2006.

In her typical style, McArthur has already begun planning her next large community service event. She plans to have the 42 participants in the Idaho State Junior Miss Program, which will be held Nov. 10, 11 and 12 at the North Idaho College Auditorium, volunteer to help with chores at Coeur d’Alene’s Children’s Village.