Actually Vanessa Lam is the highest american skater on the JGP this year qualifying for the Junior Grand Prix Final. Personally i think Courtney Hicks or Gracie Gold would have done better if Gracie had a 2nd event and Courtney didn't get hurt. Both skaters have more potential then Vanessa.
Samantha is a lovely skater, I first saw her last year, live, at the JGP in Brasov. She had some UR issues but it's good to see her fixing them. I really really like her skating and felt sorry for her to miss the JGPF like that. It almost felt unfair. I do like her and Vanessa Lam more than Gracie and Courtney but I understand why the last two have higher chances to make it to the top one day(big jumps!). But right now, Vanessa and Samantha are the most enjoyable junior skaters from the USA to me