The 2016 Meridian/Lauderdale County Distinguished Young Woman Programs will be Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center.

    Winners from the two programs will earn $21,600 in cash scholarships in addition to scholarships offered by Meridian Community College, the University of West Alabama, William Carey College and Mississippi State University.

    The 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of Lauderdale County Morgan Ross and the 2015 Distinguished Young Woman of Meridian Hannah Davis will be on hand to present the new winners with their medallions.

    Ross, who is now a senior with the Meridian Christian Home Educators, is the daughter of Jim and Cindy Ross. She has been accepted into the University of Alabama and plans to major in metallurgical engineering.

    Davis, who also is a senior with the Meridian Christian Home Educators, is currently achieving and maintaining a 4.0 GPA while being dual enrolled at Meridian Community College. She is the daughter of Richie and Mitzi Davis, and plans to attend the University of West Alabama and major in athletic training.

    At all levels of the Distinguished Young Woman program, judging standards and basis of selection are the same. The emphasis is on excellence in scholastics, personality, character, physical well-being, creativity and relationships with her fellow peers.

    • Panel Evaluation: 25 percent – A 10-minute interview is conducted with each candidate. The judge’s panel scores the candidate on perception, personality, a sense of values, clarity of expression and human relations.

    • Talent: 25 percent – Judging is based on originality, technical ability, appropriateness of selection and costume, stage presence and performance.

    • Scholastic Achievement: 20 percent – A panel of qualified educators reviews and rates transcripts of

grades and scores of scholastic and college entrance exams.

    • Physical Fitness: 15 percent – Contestants are scored on coordination, stamina, agility, posture and carriage, attitude and overall conditioning to the choreographed routine.

    • Self Expression: 15 percent – Grace, poise, carriage and posture are considered along with composure and speech.

 

Meridian’s DYW

contestants

 

Contestant: Amanda Corey

Parents: Steve and Paige Corey

School: Meridian High School

Career Goal: Industrial Engineering

College Choice: Mississippi State University

Activities/Honors: Soccer Team Co-Captain, Band Co-Section Leader, Debs Social Service Club, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Cross Country, Aineo-Highland Baptist Church Youth Choir, Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, Premier Futbol Club, Super Summer Leadership School, Son Power

Talent: Flute Solo “Flight of The Bumblebee”

 

Contestant: Sydney Melton

Parents: Geoffrey & Elisa Melton

School: The Mississippi School For Mathematics and Science

Career Goal: Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Medicine, Surgery

College Choice: Vanderbilt

Activities/Honors: Dusty Social Service Club, MSMS Lady Waves Soccer, MSMS Lady Waves Swim, Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, German Club, Seal, First Baptist Church Youth, Fencing Club, Do Something

Talent: Piano Performance to “Sonatina in A Minor”

 

Contestant: Jillianne Kaye Palmer

Parents: Daniel & Kimberly Palmer

School: A Beka Academy

Career Goal: Marine Biology/ Epidemiology

College Choice: Pensacola Christian College/ University Of Denver

Activities/Honors: Secretary of Debs Social Service Club, Jaffe’ Strings Violin Program, Co-Pledge Chairman of Debs, 10th Grade Council Of Debs, Basketball Team, After School Tutor, Member and Childcare Provider at Northcrest Baptist Church, Operation Christmas Child Volunteer

Talent: Violin Solo “Ah, Vous Dirais-Je Maman” (1st & 2nd Variations)

 

Contestant: Helen Peake Sims

Parents: Wade Sims & Jena Sims

School: Lamar School

Career Goal: Master of Business Administration

College Choice: University of Alabama

Activities/Honors: First Baptist Church Youth Group, First Baptist Church Youth Choir, Dusty Social Service Club, Lamar School Competition Cheer Squad, Suzie McGraw Senior Dance Company, Solo Competitive Dance, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Voice Lessons, Piano Lessons, Self Taught Ukelele/Guitar

Talent: Vocal

 

Contestant: Avery Watson

Parents: Jimmy & Lisa Watson

School: Lamar School

Career Goal: Biomedical Engineering/ Dermatology

College Choice: Tulane University

Activities/Honors: Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Hoby Ambassador, President-Elect 2015 Dusty Social Service Club, Student To Student Ambassador, Meridian Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, Mississippi School of Protocol And Etiquette, First Christian Church Youth Group, Piano, Guitar, Tutor

Talent: Piano Solo “Rustle of Spring”

 

Contestant: Ta’Nika Ja’nae Williams

Parents: Terry & Gloria Williams

School: Meridian High School

Career Goal: Forensic Scientist

College Choice: UAB College of Arts and Sciences

Activities/Honors: Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church Youth President, Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church Choir, Youth Secretary National Baptist Congress 2nd New Hope, Alpha Omicron Kappa Leadership Program, Meridian High Gospel Choir, 2015 Delta Debutante, Pat Gray Academy of Dance, Varsity Track Team, Meridian Unity Fest Gospel Choir, Mosaic Hearts Modeling

Talent: Vocal Presentation “Listen”

 

Lauderdale County’s DYW contestants

 

Contestant: Erin Reeshawn Bryant

Parents: Kevin & Hope Patterson

School: Clarkdale High School

Career Goal: Cytologist or Neonatologist

College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

Activities/Honors: National Honor Society, Red Circle Auxiliary (Community Service Volunteer), F.O.G. (Followers of God) Step Group at church, Piano Lessons, JROTC

Talent: Piano Solo “The Entertainer”

 

Contestant: Gabrielle Rita Counts

Parents: Kelley Counts & Tina Helm

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Education

College Choice: Louisiana State University

Activities/Honors: Encore Dance Company, First Baptist Church of

Collinsville Member and Leadership Team & Youth Group, Dusty Social Service Club, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Member of School Counts, Training My Dog Bella, Assist with Meridian Little Theater Youth Plays

Talent: Dance Lyrical “Tears of an Angel”

 

Contestant: Morgan Taylor Davidson

Parents: Ray & Stacey Davidson

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Occupational Therapist

College Choice: Mississippi State University/ Mississippi College

Activities/Honors: East Mississippi Cheer Level 4 All-Girl (Vipers), Varsity Cheerleader, Northeast Varsity Soccer, Dusty Social Service Club, First Baptist Church of Meridian Youth Group, FCA, Meridian Futbol Club 2013-2014, NEHA HOSA, Stage 2, Northeast Lady Trojans

Softball 7th-9th Grade

Talent: Vocal Presentation “Everybody Says Don’t” From Anyone Can Whistle

 

Contestant: Rebecca Tay DeLee

Parents: James & Wanda DeLee

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Nursing

College Choice: 4-year college preferably in the South

Activities/Honors: Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Color Guard, First Baptist Church Collinsville Bible Driller, Education First Italy’s Grand Tour

Participant, Marching Band, JJ White Girls Scouts of McComb, Jazz Band,

History Club, CYMS – Collinsville Youth Ministries, Future Farmers of America

Talent: Piano Performance “The Entertainer”

 

Contestant: Shamelia Cheyenne Garbutt

Parents: Fredrick Nicholson & Lasheika Garbutt

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Neuropsychologist

College Choice: University of Alabama

Activities/Honors: People to People Student Ambassador, HOSA, National

Honors Society, Lauderdale County Young Democrat

Talent: Vocal Presentation “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”

 

Contestant: Grace Goodman

Parents: Van & Barbara Goodman

School: Lamar School

Career Goal: Physical Therapy or Interior Design

College Choice: University Of Mississippi or Mississippi State University

Activities/Honors: Dance Student-13 Years, Gym Exhibition Team-6 Years, Competitive Dance Company-8 Years, First Baptist Church-Youth Group and TV Ministry, First Baptist Church-Youth Choir and Choir Tour, First Baptist Church-Youth Handbells, JV and Varsity Cheerleader-5 Years, Beta Club, Dusty Social Service Club-11th Grade Rep., JV Basketball

Talent: Jazz/Acrobatic Routine “Let’s Get Loud“

 

Contestant: Lexie Harper

Parents: Christopher Harper & Tammie Pirie

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Orthodontics

College Choice: University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: National Honor Society, Membership Co-Chair of Dusty Social Service Club, Russell Baptist Church Youth Group, Carol Merrill Academy Competitive Dance Team, High School Cheerleader,

Fellowship of Christian Athletes, High School Yearbook Staff, Baseball Diamond Girl, High School Soccer Team, Capital Area Student Council Workshop

Talent: Jazz Dance “My Strongest Suit,” From Broadway’s Aida

 

Contestant: Lauren Madison Irby

Parents: Marcus & Lisa Irby

School: Southeast Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Dietitian

College Choice: Mississippi State University

Activities/Honors: SADD Club President, Evangel Temple Student Leader, HOSA Club Secretary, Co-Captain of SHC Cheer Squad, Math And Science Team, Student Council, EMC Vipers, Homecoming Committee, Yearbook Staff, Prom Committee

Talent: Dance/Tumbling “Proud Mary”

 

Contestant: Jesslyn Nicole Jordan

Parents: Craig & Pam Jordan

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Biology/Dentistry

College Choice: The University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: First Presbyterian Church Member & Youth Group, Family, Career And Community Leaders of America, Dusty Social Service Club, High School Student Council, Technology Student

Association, Cheer and Competition Squads, Dance Team, East Mississippi Cheerleading, Fellowship Christian Athletes, First Presbyterian Choir

Talent: Vocal Presentation “Someone Like You” From Broadway’s Jekyll & Hyde

 

Contestant: Anna-Beth Loper

Parents: Robert & Cynthia Odom

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Public Policy Leadership/Lawyer

College Choice: University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: Student Council, Dusty Social Service Club, Tennis Team, Students Against Drunk Driving, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Prom Committee, First Baptist Church of Collinsville Youth Group, Lead Team of First Baptist Church of Collinsville, Mission Fuge, Children’s Choir Volunteer

Talent: Monologue “Almost There…I Think?” (Original) By Anna-Beth Loper

 

Contestant: Anna Elizabeth McDaniel

Parents: Brad & Lisa McDaniel

School: Russell Christian Academy

Career Goal: Broadcast Journalist/Meteorologist

College Choice: Mississippi State University

Activities/Honors: Russell Baptist Church Youth and Adult Choir, MS Baptist Association All State Youth Choir, Speech & Debate Team, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Headmaster Council, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Alumni (HOBY), 9th Grade Cheerleader, Lauderdale 4-H Club, Yearbook Staff, OWL Volunteer (Outdoors Without Limits)

Talent: Vocal Presentation “Redeemer”

 

Contestant: Allison Brooke Neal

Parents: Dave & Laura Neal

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Nursing

College Choice: University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: Dusty Social Service Club, Catholic Youth of

Meridian, School Chorus, Fellowship of Christian Athlete , Knights For Christ, Counselor at Camp Eagle Ridge, Prom Committee, Stem Club, School Chorus

Talent: Piano Selection “Arabeske”

 

Contestant: Abby Leigh Reid

Parents: Joseph & Cristy Reid

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Neonatology

College Choice: University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: West Lauderdale Mighty Knight Marching Band, Band Council: Co-Chaplain, Squad Leader of Trumpet Line, Dance Instructor/ Choreographer, Northcrest Baptist Church Youth Group, Jazz Band, Dancing- Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, Deer Hunting, Tumbling, Singing

Talent: Lyrical Jazz “I Can’t Make You Love Me”

 

Contestant: Olivia Vanzandt Thaggard

Parents: William & Susan Thaggard

School: Meridian Classical Center for Learning

Career Goal: Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse

College Choice: College of Charleston

Activities/Honors: National Cutting Horse Association, Horsemanship Camp Counselor, MCHE Lady Flyers Basketball, MCHE Tennis Team, Meridian Youth Medical Club Co- Founder, Queen City Jr. Civitan Treasurer, Stage 2 Teen Theater Group, VBS Teacher, Northpointe Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir & Youth Group

Talent: Piano Solo “Autumn Leaves”

 

Contestant: Chasity Mechelle Williams

Parents: Eddie & Tena Williams

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Career Goal: Registered Nurse/Administrator of Nursing

College Choice: University of Mississippi

Activities/Honors: National Honor Society, Student Council, Stem Club, Northeast High School Varsity Cheer, President of Youth Department, Praise Dance Leader, Usher, Alpha Omicron Kappa Member, Mosaic Hearts Modeling Member, Suzie McGraw Gym Student

Talent: Dance

 

    Sponsors for the 2016 program are Mississippi Power, A&B Electric Company, Structural Steel Services Inc., A&B Communications Inc., Slay Steel, Industrial Mechanical Contractors, LLC, Trustmark National Bank, Ralph Morgan Logging Inc., Great Southern National Bank and First State Bank.

Tickets for the program are on sale at the MSU Riley Center Box Office and can be purchased by calling 601-696-2200.