2012 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program

Published 6:30 am Sunday, July 17, 2011

    While organizers of the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program are still adjusting to the new name, their dedication remains unchanged for the long-running program which emphasizes academic excellence for high school girls.

    “We maintain the ideals and high standards that we used as the Mississippi Junior Miss Program,” said Marc Fisher, state chairman. “Only the name has changed.”

    Anticipation is running high today as volunteers await the arrival of the 2012 state contenders.

    “This year, we have 40 contestants in our state program who were selected to represent their area,” Fisher said. “We are excited to have such great representation from schools and counties across the state of Mississippi.”

    Through its state and local programs, this year’s Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program will award $272,000 in cash scholarships to participants. More than 300 girls participated in the program this year though local and at-large competitions.

    Shortly upon their arrival today, the 40 high school contenders will undergo orientation, then meet their host families before bidding goodbye to their families and friends. Later tonight, a Host Family Night activity will be held at a local venue.

    Monday morning, the spirited girls will begin a fast-paced week of rehearsals and other events, including a party, local appearances, a Judges’ Party and interviews.

    A preliminary to America’s Distinguished Young Women, the program’s mission is to empower outstanding high school women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing life skills, and encouraging positive values; and to impact the lives of all young people through the Be Your Best Self.

    The Temple Theater will be the setting for the three nights of competition. Contestants in the state program are evaluated by a judges panel using the same criteria as the national program: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression.

    Contestants are divided into two groups: The first group will perform talent on the first night of competition, while the second group will compete in self-expression and fitness. On the second night, the groups will alternate areas of competition.

    The Top Ten Finalists will be announced on the final night of competition. From the group, the 2012 Mississippi Distinguished Young Woman will be presented her Distinguished Young Women medallion by 2011 Mississippi Distinguished Young Woman Hannah Roberts.

    The 2012 Mississippi Distinguished Young Woman titleholder will go on to compete in the national finals, which are held in Mobile, Ala.

    Contenders in the 2012 Mississippi Distinguished Young Women Program are:

Meredith Rachel Thomas, Attala County

    High School: Kosciusko High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Pediatrics

    Talent: Piano, “Phrygian Toccata” by Mary Verne

    Parents: Eddie and Angela Thomas

Heather Meshell Holmes, Choctaw County

    High School: Ackerman High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Occupational Therapy

    Talent: Lyrical Ballet, “I Can Only Imagine”

    Parents: Michael and Kimberly Holmes

Kelsey Elyse Creel, Clarke County

    High School: Enterprise High School

    College Choice: Jones County Junior College, then University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Career Choice: Dentistry

    Talent: Jazz Dance, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from the musical “Hairspray”

    Parents: Tony and Judy Creel

Emily Tatum Rosenbaum, Clinton

    High School: Clinton High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Communications/Public Relations

    Talent: Vocal, “Easy As Life” from “Aida”

    Parents: Dutch and Deborah Rosenbaum

Jordan Elaine Nettles, Copiah

    High School: Wesson High School

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Vocal Performance/Music Therapy

    Talent: Vocal, “Brave”

    Parents: Ronnie and Rosie Nettles

Laurel Kate Duty, Covington County (At-Large)

    High School: Lamar Christian School

    College Choice: William Carey University or University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Education/Ministry Work

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: Steve and Babette Duty

Aleke Lynn Vehos, East Jackson County

    High School: East Central High School

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Secondary Education

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: Steven and Lynn Vehos

Sarah Kathryn Schmidt, Forrest County

    High School: Sacred Heart High School

    College Choice: Georgetown University

    Career Choice: Law/Mayor/Senator

    Talent: Piano, “March of the Dwarfs”

    Parents: George Schmidt, Cissy Smith and Mary Schmidt

Elizabeth Ann Wright, Gautier

    High School: Gautier High School

    College Choice: Mississippi College

    Career Choice: Marine Biology

    Talent: Lyrical/Contemporary Dance, “Slow Me Down” by Emmy Rossum

    Parents: Nathan Wright and Jennie and Harold Gibson

Makayla Mae Rogers, George County

    High School: George County High School

    College Choice: Jones County Junior College, University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Secondary Education/Upper Mathematics

    Talent: Vocal, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” “Glee” rendition

    Parents: Glenda and Tim Rogers

Debecca Lee Freeman, Greene County

    High School: Greene County High School

    College Choice: Jones County Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Registered Nurse

    Talent: Clogging, “Born to Hand Jive”

    Parents: Don and Deborah Freeman

Lindsey Caroline Shaw, Hancock

    High School: Picayune High School

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Scoliosis Specialist

    Talent: Classical Tap, “Boogie Woogie Rhythm”

    Parents: Dean and Stacey Shaw

McKenzie Ann Irish, Harrison County

    High School: D’Iberville High School

    College Choice: Undecided

    Career Choice: Marine Mammal Veterinarian

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: Troy and Kim Irish

Kelsey Leigh Pettus, Hinds County

    High School: Jackson Academy

    College Choice: Vanderbilt University

    Career Choice: Ophthalmologist

    Talent: Jazz/Gymnastics Routine, “What I Like About You” by Lillix

    Parents: Robby and Debbie Pettus

Emily Claire Gully, Jasper

    High School: Sylva-Bay Academy

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Forensic Scientist

    Talent: Lyrical Ballet, “My Immortal” by Evanescence

    Parents: Marcus and Ronda Gully

Whitnee Hampshire Bradford, Lamar County

    High School: Oak Grove High School

    College Choice: University of Utah or University of Fordham

    Career Choice: Dance Performance and Special Education (Would like to teach dance to special needs children)

    Talent: Ballet En Pointe, “Allegretto”

    Parents: Todd and Sondra Bradford

Erin Elizabeth Morgan, Jones County

    High School: Laurel Christian High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Physical Therapy

    Talent: Dramatic Interpretation

    Parents: Mark and Susan Morgan

Ashton Paige Ip, Lauderdale County

    High School: Northeast High School

    College Choice: University of Michigan

    Career Choice: Surgical Pathology

    Talent: Jazz Dance, “River Deep”

    Parents: Mr. and Mrs. James Pearsell, Garrett Ip

Anna Kennedy Barker, Lawrence County

    High School: Lawrence County High School

    College Choice: Jones County Junior College, Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Public Relations, Medical Field

    Talent: Dance and Tumble Routine, “This Little Light of Mine” by Soweto Gospel Choir

    Parents: John and Tracy Catt and Stephen Barker

Kamaran Annette Malone, Leake

    High School: Leake Academy

    College Choice: Mississippi College

    Career Choice: Medicine/Reconstructive Surgery

    Talent: Vocal/Comedy Presentation, “Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise”

    Parents: Annette and Junior Malone

Holly Claire Harrington, Lee County

    High School: Tupelo High School

    College Choice: Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

    Career Choice: Musical Theatre

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: Tammy and Shane Harrington

Emily Katharine Lowery, Lincoln County

    High School: Mississippi School of the Arts

    College Choice: University of North Carolina, Asheville, Tulane

    Career Choice: Business Law

    Talent: Vocal, “Ave Maria”

    Parents: Patrick and Celeste Lowery

Kathryn-Mathis Rooker, Lowndes County

    High School: New Hope High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Communications

    Talent: Piano, “Fur Elise” by Ludwig Van Beethoven

    Parents: Mike and Lisa Rooker

Allison Melissa Ramsey, Madison

    High School: Jackson Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, Southern Methodist University, Auburn University, University of Alabama

    Career Choice: Broadcast Journalism, Law

    Talent: Jazz Dance

    Parents: Stacy Ramsey and Dr. Randy Ramsey

Natalie Paige Bourn, Marion County

    High School: Columbia High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Pediatric Oncology

    Talent: Musical Theater Dance “If My Friends Could See Me Now” from the Broadway musical “Sweet Charity”

    Parents: Shelby and Alicia Bourn

Alanna Jordan Hall, Meridian

    High School: Lamar High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Entertainment Law

    Talent: Vocal, “O Mio Babbino Caro”

    Parents: Jack Hall Jr. and Darrene Hall

Mary Margaret Bailey, Neshoba County

    High School: Philadelphia High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Pediatrics/Health Instruction

    Talent: Jazz Dance/Gymnastics, “I’m Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

    Parents: David and Dee Dee Bailey

Taylor Nicole Gressett, Newton County

    High School: Newton County High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Pediatrics

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: Kevin and Christy Gressett

Tayler Alexis Tingle, Pascagoula

    High School: Pascagoula High School

    College Choice: Florida State University

    Career Choice: Pre-Med

    Talent: Jazz Dance, “When Doves Cry” by Quindon Tarver

    Parents: Lee and Melissa Tingle

Kaelyn Nicole Wolfe, Pearl River County

    High School: Pearl River Central High School

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Music Education

    Talent: Tap Routine, “Anything Goes”

    Parents: Debbie and Jeff Wolfe

Whitney Taylor Thoms, Perry County

    High School: Richton High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Biochemical Engineering

    Talent: Ballet En Pointe

    Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Hugh O. Thoms

Emily Elizabeth Evans, Petal

    High School: Petal High School

    College Choice: Tulane University

    Career Choice: Musical Theatre

    Talent: Vocal, “Forget About the Boy”

    Parents: Greg and Carla Evans

Emily Elaine Alford, Pike County

    High School: Parkland Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Pharmacy

    Talent: Vocal, “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera”

    Parents: Howard and Shirley Alford

Mary Madison Portie, Rankin County

    High School: Jackson Preparatory School

    College Choice: Undecided

    Career Choice: Screenwriter/Movie Producer

    Talent: Violin, “The Pink Panther” by Henry Mancini

    Parents: Evelyn and Mike Portie

Keri Sharday Jones, Scott County

    High School: Morton High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi/Vanderbilt

    Career Choice: Internal Medicine/Surgery with certification in tropical medicine

    Talent: Dance, “Happy” by Leona Lewis

    Parents: JoAnn Frazier and Alonzo Jones

Christy Elaine Wilson, Simpson County

    High School: Simpson County Academy

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Choice: Broadcast Journalism

    Talent: Piano, “Valse du Petit Chien” by Frederic Chopin

    Parents: Roger and Melba Wilson

Mallory McKay Pitts, Starkville

    High School: Starkville Academy

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Physical Therapy

    Talent: Gymnstic Routine

    Parents: Mike and Stephanie Pitts

Melissa Caitlin King, Washington County

    High School: Washington School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Choice: Special Education or Speech Pathology

    Talent: Vocal

    Parents: George and Lisa King

Ashley Christine Maiolatesi, West Jackson County

    High School: Ocean Springs High School

    College Choice: Tulane University

    Career Choice: Oncology

    Talent: Pointe, “Yellow” by Vitamin String Quartet

    Parents: Drs. Leonard and Terri Maiolatesi

Mary-Katherine Black, Winston County

    High School: Winston Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Choice: Pharmacy

    Talent: Piano, “Revolutionary Etude Op. 10, No. 12”

    Parents: Barry and Helen Black

Want to go?

What: 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program

When: Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.

Where: Temple Theater, 2320 Eighth St.

Tickets: Box Office hours are Monday-Friday, from 11 a.m.-

2 p.m.Ticket prices are: reserve package for all three nights of competition, $60; Individual general admission tickets are $15, Thursday; $15, Friday; and $20, Saturday.

For more information, call the box office at (601) 693-5353. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.