"The AKC recognizes the important role our young fanciers play in the future of the sport of purebred dogs," said Mari-Beth O'Neill, AVP of Corporate Training and Development.

"Anything we can do to assist them with reaching their personal and professional goals - with the hope that they will continue their participation in the sport - is of the utmost importance to us."

Each student's academic history and potential - as well as involvement in the sport of purebred dogs - were key criteria for winning the award from a field of 81 candidates. The average grade point average among the recipients was 3.72. Their involvement in the fancy ranged from earning titles in Conformation, Obedience, and Agility, and qualifying for events like the AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship and the Westminster Kennel Club show, to participating in AKC Performance Events. This year's recipients are also involved in many dog-related extracurricular activities, including herding, breeding, obedience training, AKC Junior Showmanship judging, rescue volunteering, lure coursing, writing for a dog magazine, agility, obedience, conformation, 4-H, fieldwork, CGC evaluator, and work with therapy dogs.

2003 AKC Junior Scholarship Recipients

Charlotte Anderson, Minneapolis, MN
Lindsay Balder, Jenison, MI
Emily Bisso, Metairie, LA
Krystle Bounds, Parsonburg, MD
Kathleen Burns, Dublin, OH
Mary Lynn Butcher, Springfield, OH
Tyler Cegler, Stevensville, MT
Wyatt Delfino, Alpine, CA
Jenna Dell, Clifton Springs, NY
Shalimar Distler, Lititz, PA
Kerrie Doerr, New Braunfels, TX
Jennifer Duffecy, Chicago, IL
Kerry Edinger, Corvallis, OR
Jennifer Fish, Camas, WA
Lindsey Gaulke, Hood River, OR
Jenny Glei, Leasburg, NC
Caitlyn Glick, Huntsville, AL
Heather Grodi, Dresher, PA
Rebecca Helmke, Madison, NY
Allison Johnston, Wilmington, NC
Elizabeth Jordan, Elk Grove, CA
Adam King, Boonville, IN
Julia Kinsey, East Canton, OH
Kristi Klaus, Ridgefield, WA
Lisa Kleven, Cottage Grove, MN
Lauren Kolb, Neshanic Station, NJ
Peter Kubacz, Jackson, NJ
Brittany Lagaly, Cincinnati, OH
Brandon Lenk, Maidens, VA
Meghann Lord, Deltaville, VA
Allison McGuigan, Morrestown, NJ
Emily Meyer, Raleigh, NC
Shannon Mort, Keymar, MD
Marian Mossman, Kailua, HI
Kristen Nelson, Palm Desert, CA
Megan Nelson, Cheshire, CT
Holly Niece, Phoenix, AZ
Shea Olsen, Omaha, NE
David Pittman, Kennesaw, GA
Sarah Purdy, Sublimity, OR
Jessica Russ, Pembine, WI
Brandi Smith, Birmingham, AL
Holly Smith, Tillamook, OR
Ashley Tripodi, Howell, NJ
Melanie Tokarski, Oshkosh, WI
Nicholas Urbanek, Glenshaw, PA
Joshua Webb, Stevensville, MD
Danielle Zezulinksi, Hillsborough, NJ