Many years ago, back in the early 1970's, I met a 14 year old kid by the name of Mary Jo Mersol at a show in Ohio. She was there with American Shorthairs that she had purchased with her own money. Her father had dropped her and the cats off at the show, and would come back to get her when the show was over. I saw her at many shows within her local area, and we got to be friends despite the difference in our ages.

Mary Jo registered the cattery name Sol-Mer in 1973, and her cats didn't win many rosettes back then, but she didn't get discouraged. Even at that young age, she had a plan for her breeding program, and she was determined to stick to it.

Now married, and with children of her own, Mary Jo has worked with determination on her breeding program over the years, and has had numerous successes in the annual CFA National Awards.

On June 15, 1996 she reached the ultimate pinnacle of success in her breeding program - the awarding of BEST CAT IN CFA to Grand Champion/National Winner Sol-Mer Sharif, a Brown Tabby American Shorthair Male of her own breeding.

Congratulations Mary Jo, and thanks for your friendship over the years, and for the pleasure of watching you grow up in the Cat Fancy, and reach this ultimate goal.