Quanila Debrieun Trotter

 The 2018 Meridian/Lauderdale County Distinguished Young Women Programs will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian.

Seven young ladies from Meridian and seven young ladies from Lauderdale County are competing for the titles and $20,000 in cash scholarships. The two winners will advance to the Mississippi Distinguished Young Women Program held in July in Meridian.

Saying goodbye to their year of service will be 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Meridian Kai Horne, a student at Meridian High School, and 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Lauderdale County Julia McCarty, a member of the Meridian Christians Home Educators. Both young ladies represented their city and county extremely well this past year, according to program organizers.

The Distinguished Young Women program attracts outstanding participants who demonstrate excellence in all areas of their lives. At all levels, the judging standards and the basis of selection are the same and are devised to evaluate the qualities and characteristics in which the program believes every young woman should strive to possess.  

Areas of competition include:

• Scholastics, 25 percent: Judged by a separate individual with a background in academics and scholastic evaluation who considers each participant’s grade point average, standardized test scores and curriculum.

• Interview, 25 percent: In a 10-minute interview and discussion session, the judges’ panel considers clarity of expression, mental alertness, perception, sense of values, human relations, educated responses, knowledge of current issues and events and personality.

• Talent, 20 percent: Each participant is allowed 90 seconds for her talent presentation. Judges consider technical ability, originality, appropriateness of selection, costume and stage presence.

• Fitness, 15 percent: Participants are evaluated in overall conditioning during a choreographed fitness routine. Judges consider agility, coordination, strength and stamina.

• Self Expression, 15 percent: Participants are evaluated in grace, demeanor, self-confidence and communication skills. Judges consider poise, carriage, posture, composure, and communication ability.

Meridian

contestants

Breelyn Jada Bigbee

College Preference: Mississippi State University

Career Goal: Veterinarian

School: Meridian High School

Talent: Reciting Poetry

Parents: Barbara Bigbee and Bennett Bigbee

Activities: Volunteering at Poplar Springs Animal Hospital, Volleyball, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Basketball, National Society of High School Honors, Honor Roll and various volunteer activities

Hannah Marie Khan

College Preference: University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Neurosurgeon

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Talent: Piano

Parents: Bonnie and Alex Khan

Activities: Debs Social Club Historian and Reporter/Co-Pledge Chairman, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junior Civitan Club, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Debate Team, Science Club Vice President, Blackwater Baptist Church Youth Group, Beta Club, Scholars Bowl/Academic Competition Team, Student 2 Student Peer Tutor, Debs Social Service Club Community Service Award Recipient and recipient of the National Academy of Medical Scientists Award of Excellence

Kaylan Alana McCoy

College Preference: Fashion Institute of Technology

Career Goal: Fashion designer/business owner

School: Meridian High School

Talent: Dance

Parent: Jessica Sidney

Activities: Head FCA Leader, Track, Softball, Career Cats Member, Mock Trial Attorney, DECA, Carter Foundation’s NBA Mentor, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Most Outstanding Student in Business Fundamentals, First place in Principals of Hospitality and Tourism in Regional DECA, Recipient of the President’s Education Award, Competed in DECA’s Annual International Career Development Conference and Honor Roll

Quanila Debrieun Trotter

College Preference: Alcorn State University

Career Goal: Midwife

School:  Meridian High School

Talent: Dance

Parent: Deandra Scott Carter

Activities: Varsity Cheerleader, FRCF Praise Dancer, FCA, Interact Club, National Honor Society, HOSA, Honor Roll and various community service activities

Alisha Jo Webber

College Preference: University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Forensic Anthropologist

School: Meridian High School

Talent: Vocal performance

Parents: Jewelina Cohee and Walter Cohee

Activities: Meridian High School Lamplighter, Advanced Women’s Choir and Concert Choir and Violinist, Allied Health, Mississippi All-State Woman’s Honor Choir, USM Southern Invitational Choral Conference, MCC’s Aida, performed National Anthem at the Pelican’s Game in Atlanta, Ukuthula: A Joint Choral Concert at MSU, ServeSafe Certificate and Solo and Ensemble Contests

Mary Claire Whitehead

College Preference: University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Neonatologist

School: Lamar School

Talent: Piano

Parents: Beth Whitehead and Kary Whitehead

Activities: Student Council Representative, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Tennis, Dusty Social Service Club-Treasurer, Soccer, Track, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Cheerleader- All American Cheer Award, Tutor, ACT 30+ Club, Honor Roll, National Honor Society, Beta Club- Vice President, National Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Mississippi House of Representatives Page, Camp Desoto-Asst. Chief, Mission Trip and various community service activities

Tempest Young

College Preference: Undecided

Career Goal: Undecided

School:  Meridian High School

Talent: Vocal performance

Parent: Sheila Wiley

Activities: Singing and acting

Lauderdale County contestants

Laurie Gayle Baskin

College Preference: Mississippi State University

Career Goal: Veterinarian

School: West Lauderdale High School

Talent: Flute solo

Parents: Sharon and Brian Baskin

Activities: National Honor Society, WLHS Band (flute), WLHS Jazz Band (tenor saxophone), East Mississippi Animal Rescue and Coyote Hills Horse Rescue

Laurel Caroline Garrett

College Preference: Mississippi State University

Career Goal: Master of Business Administration

School: Lamar High School

Talent: Acro-Jazz Dance

Parents: Jennifer and Riley Garrett

Activities: Student Council Representative, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Dusty Social Service Club-President, competitive dancer and instructor, Varsity Cheer, basketball, Softball, FCA, First Baptist Church Member/Youth, Honor Roll, Beta Club – Vice President, National Spanish Honor Society, Junior Class Homecoming Maid, NCA All-American Cheerleader, MAIS State Champion Cheer Team and numerous volunteer work

London Kerry Goodman

College Preference: University of Alabama

Career Goal: Pediatric Occupational Therapy

School: Lamar School

Talent: Gymnastics

Parents: Brandi and Kerry Goodman

Activities: Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Mississippi National Guard Youth Council, Student Council – Secretary, American Legion Auxiliary, Beta Club, Varsity Cheerleader, Dusty Social Service Club – Membership Co-chairman, First Presbyterian Meridian Youth Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, See You At the Pole Committee, Duke TIP Program, ISC National Cheer Champions, WSA National Cheer Champion, All-American Cheerleader and member of Homecoming Court

Jenna Lynn Graupman

College Preference: The University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Hematologist

School: West Lauderdale High School

Talent: Piano

Parent: Sherry Lou Graupman

Activities: Volleyball, Riding Horses, Dancing, Dusty Social Service Club, Basketball Manager, Theater Productions, Prom Committee, People to People Leadership Ambassador, All A’s, volunteering at Aldersgate, Participating in Challenger League, Missionary Work  and volunteering with Rotary International

Savannah Michele Pope

College Preference: University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Pharmacist

School: Clarkdale High School

Talent: Jazz Dance

Parents: Angie and Randy Pope

Activities: Spanish Club, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, HOSA, Football & Competitive Cheerleader, Varsity Soccer, Northcrest Baptist Youth Mission Team, Competitive Dance, Gymnastics, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bible Club, National Honor Society, UPDAWGS, HOSA National Qualifier, HOSA CPAS Award, All-American Cheerleader , Tennis South State, Sophomore Homecoming Maid and Mission Trip through church

Kayla Renee Powe

College Preference: The University of Mississippi

Career Goal: Coder, Oncologist

School: Northeast Lauderdale High School

Talent: Piano

Parents: Krystal and Eric Powe

Activities: Future Executives Leaders Program, Student Council-Vice President, Delta GEMS-Secretary, Beta Club-Vice President, Band-Drum Captain, Club 21, Junior Civitan, Co-captain of Academic Quiz Bowl Team, Representative for the EMEPA Leadership Program. Leadership Lauderdale Youth, Top Trojan for highest ranked GPA  and recipient of the James Hall Band Dedication Award.

Mary Elizabeth Sprabery

College Preference: University of Mississippi/UMMC

Career Goal: Biochemistry/Dermatology

School: Southeast Lauderdale High School

Talent: Piano

Parents: Dr. Pat and Donna Sprabery

Activities: National Society of High School Scholars, Mu Alpha Theta, BETA Club, Student Council – Vice President, Math and Science Team, HOSA – President, Spanish Club, Leadership Lauderdale Youth, History Club, SADD – Vice President,  Prudential Spirit of Community State Finalist, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, HOSA State Researched Persuasive Speaking State Champion and 2015 READ Day Proclamation

• Sponsors of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Distinguished Young Women Programs: Gold Sponsors- Mississippi Power, A&B Electric and Structural Steel Services. Bronze Sponsors -Rush Foundation Hospital, Creel Development, and Jimmy & Ann Alexander. Friends Sponsors – John O’Neal Johnson, Citizens National Bank, Trustmark National Bank, First State Bank, Jackson/Newell Paper Companies, Ralph Morgan Logging Inc., Great Southern Bank and Green Light Motors.