Lakeland’s Junior Miss working toward her ‘grand plan’

As the reigning Junior Miss from Lakeland High, 17-year-old Michelle McCullough takes her role very seriously.

“Not everyone takes full advantage of what Junior Miss has to offer, but there are a lot of opportunities and I’ve had a blast,” said Michelle, who was crowned in June. “I’ve met a lot of people who I would not otherwise have known.”

The 19 contestants at Lakeland High School practiced twice a week for the competition and had plenty of fun.

“We goofed around a lot, but we got a lot done,” Michelle said.

Michelle said she worked hard to perfect both her talent, for which she played “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid” on her trumpet, and the fitness routine.

“I struggled a lot with the fitness routine,” she said. “My body doesn’t move that way.” But the routine, which she describes as a mix between cheerleading and dance with jumping jacks and push-ups added in, turned out to be both enjoyable and entertaining.

“When you know you’re doing it right, it makes you do it that much better,” said Michelle who adds that she now actually enjoys performing in front of people.

During her reign as Junior Miss, Michelle has attended fundraisers, a business fair and several ribbon-cutting ceremonies welcoming new businesses to the area.

Her activities are not limited to Junior Miss duties. She is also enrolled in honors classes such as physics, calculus and English and her other classes include band, government and economics. She has no trouble juggling it all, as is evidenced by her impressive cumulative grade-point average of 3.93.

An avid soccer player, Michelle has been on the varsity team since late in the season her freshman year. She sustained an injury during a soccer tournament in July and has been unable to play this fall.

“It was hard to watch all the games and not play,” she said.

Michelle says she especially enjoys defense and midfield, but will play wherever needed.

Holding the title of Junior Miss has earned Michelle a scholarship to North Idaho College next year, but she said her hopes are set on attending the University of Idaho.

“It is close to home, yet far enough away,” said Michelle. She adds that the school also has the kind of teaching program she is looking for in a college. She said she loves little kids, but she really wants to teach high school math.

“That is my grand plan,” she said.

Michelle is enthusiastic about all of her sports and activities, but nothing seems to bring her as much joy as her current job. She works at an assisted-living home and enjoys visiting with the residents and listening to them share stories of their youth.

“I get to do the fun stuff like paint nails, play cribbage and serve them dinner,” said Michelle. “I absolutely love them (the residents). It’s so fun to hear stories of their past.”

She said teaching would be a perfect fit for her as she would like to continue her work with the elderly.

“If I am a teacher then I have the summers off and could work at an assisted-living home,” she said.

In addition to her work at the assisted-living home, Michelle earns money through her 4-H projects.

“I’ve been doing it since I was 7 years old,” said Michelle, who raises pigs and auctions them off. She says the experience has been great, and she appreciates the support the community gives to those who participate. “The people who sponsor 4-H are awesome.”

But there is no one who has earned Michelle’s praise more than her mother.

“Without my mom, everything I am involved in would be impossible,” Michelle said. “I cannot thank her enough.”