Mari Margaret Craft, from left, Madelyn Clayton and Ava Randle pose for a photo before the start of the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program’s final night of competition Saturday at the Evangel Temple.

For Madelyn Clayton, Distinguished Young Woman of Lauderdale County, the experience of participating in the state pageant over the weekend was more than she expected.

“It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve learned so many new things and met so many great people,” said Clayton, who finished in the Top 10 at the state 2025 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program’s final night of competition Saturday at the Evangel Temple. “I have 28 new best friends now, and it’s just been an amazing week.”

The Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi program is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership and talent in young women. Altogether, 29 high school seniors from across the state competed for more than $35,000 in college scholarships during the week-long program.

Grace Ann Courtney, a student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi 2025 during Saturday’s finals at the Evangel Temple. Courtney, of Stone County, will go on to represent the state in the national DYW competition to be held next June in Mobile, Alabama.

Maggie Martin, a student at Starkville Academy, was chosen first runner up at the state pageant, and second runner up was Katy Weir, a student at Oak Grove High School in Lamar County. Vanita Anand, a student at St. Andrews Episcopal High School in Madison County, was named third runner up.

Joining Clayton in the Top 10 were Abbie McKissack, a student at George County High School; Lauren Shows, of Petal High School; Adleigh Fricke, of Pearl River Central High School; Ava Randle of Oxford High School in Lafayette County; and Sara-Kate Welborn, of East Central High School in Jackson County.

Clayton, who goes by Maddie, said she met her goal of finishing in the Top 10 and winning a preliminary talent award for her vocal presentation of “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” A senior at Lamar School, Clayton is well known in the community as a local musical theater performer.

“I was so excited,” she said of the preliminary talent award. “Honestly, that was all I wanted was a good talent preliminary and I got it.”

Clayton, who plans to pursue criminal justice and law at the University of Mississippi, said the entire DYW week turned out amazing for her.

“I encourage every junior girl to do DYW,” she said. “It’s an amazing program.”