By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – A Mobile tradition is ending. The board that governs the America's Junior Miss pageant has voted to discontinue the event. A board committee compiled a report detailing problems with the pageant. Those problems include a lack of funding and sponsors, as well as a decrease in the number of participants. The last pageant is scheduled for June. The event was incorporated in 1957. It's launched the careers of celebrities such as Diane Sawyer, Kim Basinger and Kathy Lee Gifford. The pageant has also provided almost $90 million in scholarships to thousands of young women. It judges high school seniors on talent, beauty, poise and intelligence.