SIKESTON -- The poster children for the 15th annual Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center Telethon to be held March 11-12 have been announced.

They include Dawn Nichols, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Nichols of East Prairie; Nicholas Werkmeister, 3 1/2, daughter of Kimberly and Steve Werkmeister of Dexter; Cody Lee, 3, son of Mary Petty of Sikeston; Dewayne Stanley, 7, son of James and Mildred Stanley of Lilbourn; Miracle Kennedy, 3, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kennedy of Sikeston; and Samantha Gadberry, 9 1/2, daughter of Ricky and Cindy Gadberry of Chaffee.

Dawn Nichols attends Webb Elementary School in East Prairie and is in the fourth grade. She has a diagnosis of Larson's Syndrome and started therapy at the CP Center in September after her family moved to Southeast Missouri from Kokomo, Ind.

Nicholas Werkmeister has spina bifida and has been attending the CP Center since October 1993. He receives physical therapy twice a week, receives speech therapy and attends the Early Childhood Special Education Program four days a week.

Cody Lee receives speech therapy and is in the Early Childhood Special Education Program.

Dewayne Stanley has muscular dystrophy and has been receiving physical therapy at the center since the age of 17 months. He currently receives physical and occupational therapy at the center once a week.

Miracle Kennedy's diagnosis is Dandy Walker cysts and chromosomal abnormality. She receives physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy from the CP Center. She recently enrolled in the Early Childhood special Education Program.

Samantha Gadberry has cerebral palsy with seizure disorders and has been attending the CP Center since 1989, receiving physical and occupational therapy.

Mike Wilson is the chairman of this year's telethon, with Marty Hutcheson serving as co-chairman.

The telethon will be available on all local cable access channels. For the first time this year, all Rural Vision Cable customers also will be able to view the show.