Distinguished Young Women

Published 10:19 pm Saturday, July 9, 2016

Contestants for state’s 2017 competition arrive today

 Meridian will temporarily be home this week to 28 high school girls from across the state – contestants in the 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program.

Joining the contestants – who will arrive today – will be Kai Akina Horne, Meridian’s DYW, and Julia Helen McCarty, Lauderdale County’s DYW. After completing orientation at the Northeast Inn Conference Center, the 30 DYW contenders will say goodbye to their families and hello to their Host Families, local residents who will provide them a “home away from home” during their week in Meridian.

“What they will experience and learn during the week will stay with them for a lifetime,” said Sid Wilkinson, state chairman for DYW Mississippi.

“Generally speaking, their academics are very high and they are very goal driven. However there are some skills they learn through the Distinguished Young Women Program that are life skills – learning how to interview, how to handle themselves in public speaking environments, how to interact with one another, and understanding their best is what people are looking for in life.”

And while contestants will compete against each other for the overall title, Wilkinson said their biggest competition will be against themselves.

“It’s about competition, but it’s about competition with yourself – meeting your goals and expectations and rising above them once you do,” he said. “That’s what our program is about: getting them to understand how to apply themselves to make them better at life everyday, and that it’s a work in progress.”

During the week, the DYW contestants will attend rehearsals where they will learn a high-intensity fitness routine, as well as fine tune their self-expression presentations. They also will make special appearances, meet with the competition’s judges, attend parties and establish friendships that will last a lifetime.

For more than half a century, Meridian has served as sponsor of the state scholarship program, formerly Junior Miss of Mississippi. This year’s presentation is the 59th in the state’s history of the program, which, according to Hampton Thames, program co-chairman, was moved to Meridian in 1963.

DYWM is an official state preliminary to America’s Distinguished Young Women, a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarships, leadership and talent in young women. More than $30,000 in scholarships will be presented at this year’s state program, Wilkinson said.

Downtown’s Temple Theater will be the setting for the three nights of competition, which begin Thursday and culminate Saturday with the name of a new state titleholder. Contestants in the state program are evaluated by a judges panel using the same criteria as the national program: scholastics (25 percent of overall score), interview (25 percent of overall score), talent (20 percent of overall score), fitness (15 percent of overall score) and self-expression 15 percent of overall score).

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 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi winner will be presented her Distinguished Young Woman medallion by 2016 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi titleholder Anna Daniels, who was also second alternate to the national title.

The 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi titleholder will advance to the National Finals in Mobile next year. There, they will spend two weeks getting to know outstanding girls from across the country, engaging in community service and team development activities, and preparing for the National Finals competition. All state representatives will compete for a share of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the national program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.

Tickets for the 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program are currently on sale. General and reserved tickets are available for individual or three-night packages. For more information, contact Kimberly Floyd at 601-480-3438

The 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi, are:

• Katie Elizabeth Box, Choctaw County

   High School: French Camp Academy

   Parents: Kevin and Tracie Box

   Talent: Vocal, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

   College Preference: Mississippi College

   Career Goals: Medical Doctor

• M’Tajia Kamiya Altman, Clarke County

  High School: Quitman High School

  Parents: Michael and Amanda Altman

  Talent: Lyrical Colorguard Routine, “The Words” by Christina Perri

  College Preferences: University of Southern Mississippi 

  Career Goals: Neonatal Nurse Practioner

• Tanya Shenoy, Clinton

  High School: St. Andrew’s Episcopal High School

  Parents: Drs. Vishwanath and Veena Shenoy 

  Talent: Semi-classical Indian Dance, “Deem Ta Dare”

  College Preferences: Emory University

  Career Goals: Physician

• Alyssa Grace Faler, Covington County

  High School: Sumrall High School

  Parents: Greg and Donielle Faler

  Talent: Violin, “Ashokan Farewell”

  College Preferences: University of Southern Mississippi

  Career Goals: Social Worker

• Virginia Hollis Hoggard, East Jackson County

  High School: East Central High School

  Parents: Wayne and Lane Hoggard

  Talent: Vocal, “Wishing You Were Here Again” 

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Speech Pathologist

• Ruth Ann Reeves, Forrest County

  High School: Presbyterian Christian School

  Parents: Keith and Robin Reeves

  Talent: Violin, “Ashoken Farewell/Toss the Feathers”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Attorney

• Jordan “Presley” Beard, George County

  High School: George County High School

  Parents: Jeremiah and Faith Beard

  Talent: Tumbling, “Castle” by Halsey

  College Preferences: University of Southern Mississippi

  Career Goals: Orthodontist

• Charlsie Brienna Hicks, Greene County

  High School: Greene County High School

  Parents: Heath and Charlene Hicks

  Talent: Flute, “Badinerie”

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Veterinary School

• Grace Olivia Mauldin, Jones County

  High School: Sacred Heart Catholic High School

  Parents: Joe and Dorothy Mauldin

  Talent: Piano with vocal, “Your Song”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Education or Pediatrics

• Carlisle Connell Washburne, Lamar County

  High School: Oak Grove High School

  Parents: Drs. Joseph and Elizabeth Washburne

  Talent: Piano, “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi or Baylor University

  Career Goals: Physician

• Julia Helen McCarty, Lauderdale County

  High School: Home Educated

  Parents: Dr. Britt and Amy McCarty

  Talent: Piano, “All of Me” by Jon Schmidt

  College Preferences: Mississippi College

  Career Goals: Physical Therapy Assistant

• Hailey Catherine Jamison, Leake County

  High School: Leake Academy

  Parents: Mike and Denise Jamison

  Talent: Piano, “Tribute to Roberto Garcia Morillo”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Pediatric Oncologist

• Reagan Whittington, Lincoln County

  High School: Brookhaven High School

  Parents: Clay and Traci Whittington

  Talent: Vocal, “In My Own Little Corner”

  College Preferences: Mississippi College

  Career Goals: Historian

• Anna Reed Hairston, Lowndes County

  High School: Heritage Academy

  Parents: Bethany and Trip Hairston

  Talent: Vocal, “The Prayer”

  College Preferences: Samford University

  Career Goals: Music Therapy

• Neha Arora, Madison County

  High School: Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School

  Parents: Namita and Sumesh Arora

  Talent: Indian Classical Bollywood Fusion Dance, “Doom Taana”

  College Preferences: Vanderbilt University

  Career Goals: Physician

• Gillian Alyse May, Marion County

  High School: Columbia High School

  Parents: Raymond and Tina May

  Talent: Monologue

  College Preferences: Mississippi College

  Career Goals: Orthopedic Surgeon

• Kai Akina Horne, Meridian

  High School: Meridian High School

  Parents: Demetrius Hill and Kim Horne-Hill

  Talent: Alto Saxophone Solo, “See You Again” by Whiz Khalifa 

  College Preferences: Stanford University or University of Chicago

  Career Goals: Neurologist/Study abroad

• Laken Del Winstead, Neshoba County

  High School: Neshoba Central High School

  Parents: Shan and Rana Winstead

  Talent: Vocal, “How Great Thou Art” by Carrie Underwood

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Elementary Education

• Chloe Kristine Warren, Newton County

  High School: Union High School

  Parents: Jeremy and Kristy Warren

  Talent: Jazz Dance, “Think” by Aretha Franklin

  College Preferences: Mississippi College or University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Denistry/Orthodontics

• Elizabeth Marie Martin Burrow, Pascagoula

  High School: Resurrection Catholic High School

  Parents: Stephen and Mary Burrow

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

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Pediatric Surgeon

• Brooke Carley Warden, Pearl River County

  High School: Picayune Memorial High School

  Parents: Keith and Kristi Warden

  Talent: Vocal, “Called Me Higher” by All Sons and Daughters

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Journalism/Law

• Katherine Annaleigh Buckley, Petal

  High School: Petal High School

  Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Steve Buckley

  Talent: Lyrical Dance, “Dare to Dream”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Pediatric Nurse

• Lauren Grace Mackey, Rankin County

  High School: Northwest Rankin High School

  Parents: Rebecca and Chris Mackey

  Talent: Dance, “Tchaikovsky’s Sugarplum Fairy”

  College Preferences: Pennsylvania State University or University of Alabama

  Career Goals: Architectural Engineer

• Lillian Marie Herring, Scott County

  High School: East Rankin Academy

  Parents: David and Susie Herring

  Talent: Vocal, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Pediatric Nursing

• Rachel Ellen Shoemaker, Smith County

  High School: Laurel Christian High School

  Parents: John and Ellen Shoemaker

  Talent: Vocal, “Not for the Life of Me” by Sutton Foster

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Public Relations

• CiCi Zhang, Starkville

  High School: Starkville High School

  Parents: Jilei Zhang and May Han

  Talent: Piano 

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Biomedical Engineering

• Maggie McCayla Pitts, Wayne County

  High School: Wayne Academy

  Parents: Billy Dale Pitts and Cindy Duckworth Pitts

  Talent: Speed Painting, “Forever” by Kari Jobe

  College Preferences: University of Southern Mississippi

  Career Goals: Dentist

• Kathleen Greer Blaylock, Webster

  High School: Eupora High School

  Parents: Lyn and Stan Blaylock

  Talent: Contemporary Dance, “Insecurely”

  College Preferences: University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Attorney

• Cailin Gail Sims, West Jackson County

  High School: Vancleave High School

  Parents: Angela and Loyd Sims

  Talent: Lyrical Routine, “Grace” by Saving Jane

  College Preferences: Mississippi State University

  Career Goals: Biomedical Engineering/Prosthetics

• Iris Laydon Keen, Winston County

  High School: Winston Academy

  Parents: Brenda Keen and Odie Keen

  Talent: Piano, “Midnight Rhapsody” by Melody Bober

  College Preferences: ECCC/University of Mississippi

  Career Goals: Counselor

Meet the DYW Contestants

An autograph party for the public to meet the 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi contestants will be held Tuesday, from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m., at The Venue, 818 22nd Ave. “We really encourage the community to come and show their support for the girls,” said Sid Wilkinson, state chairman for the program.