By Ida Brown

ibrown@themeridianstar.com

    Today’s arrival of contestants in the 2014 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi (DYWM) Program marks a half century of Meridian serving as sponsor of the state scholarship program for high school senior girls.

    Formerly Mississippi Junior Miss, this year’s presentation is the 57th in the state’s history of the program. The national program was founded in 1958 in Mobile, Ala.

    “The state program was moved to Meridian in 1963, after being held in McComb,” said Hampton Thames, who serves as program chairman along with State Chairman Sid Wilkinson.

    “When people think of the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program, they automatically think of Meridian. And the high school girls who compete in the local programs want to make it to Meridian, that is their goal. And that is a good thing for our city,” Thames added.

    And while 50 years as state sponsor of the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls is quite a milestone for Meridian, Thames notes that DYWM is really about the contestants – who are among the state’s brightest and talented. Their achievements are generously rewarded through the DYWM’s scholarship offerings.

    “Our scholarship package for the last two years has been $42,500 – which is still the largest state package in the country,” Thames said.

    Thirty-three high school seniors from across the state will participate in this year’s program. Shortly upon their arrival today, the contenders will undergo orientation, then meet their host families before saying goodbye to their families and friends. Later tonight, a Host Family Night activity will be held.

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

    A preliminary to America’s Distinguished Young Women, DYWM’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, 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 (20 percent of overall score), interview (25 percent of overall score), talent (25 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 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi winner will be presented her Distinguished Young Woman medallion by 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi titleholder Mackenzie Ross.

    The 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi titleholder will go on to compete in the national finals in Mobile next year.

    The 2014 DYWM contestants are:

Marilyn Ramirez, Choctaw County

    High School: Ackerman High School

    College Choice: University of Alabama or University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Career Goals: Neonatal Nurse

    Talent: Piano, “Primavera”

    Parents: Roman and Maria Ramirez

Hanna Elizabeth Hampton, Clarke County

    High School: Quitman High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Biochemistry and study Forensics

    Talent: Vocal, “Feeling Good”

    Parents: Steve and Pam Hampton

Alden Camille Hartley, Clinton

    High School: Clinton High School

    College Choice: Undecided

    Career Goals: Speech Pathology

    Talent: Vocal, “Feelin’ Good”

    Parents: Rickey and Lynne Hartley

Abby Ward McPhail, Covington County

    High School: Seminary High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Biomedical Engineering/Nephrology

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

    Parents: James and Pamela McPhail

Christina Beth Vehos, East Jackson County

    High School: East Central High School

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Goals: Secondary Education

    Talent: Vocal, “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston

    Parents: Steve and Lynn Vehos

Reagan Michelle Scoggin, Forrest County

    High School: Presbyterian Christian High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Sports Announcer

    Talent: Vocal, “Somebody to Love”

    Parents: Michelle Scoggin and Jay Scoggin

Laura Ann Freeman, Gautier

    High School: Gautier High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Public Relations

    Talent: Country Western Dance to “Ain’t Going Down (‘Till the Sun Comes Up)

    Parents: Greg and Patricia Freeman

Callie Danielle Brown, George County

    High School: George County High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Biomedical Engineering

    Talent: Ballet en pointe to “Carmen Prelude” by George Bizet

    Parents: Steven & Dorene Brown

Lexus Caroline Watson, Greene County

    High School: Greene County High School

    College Choice: Jones County Junior College/University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Anesthesiologist

    Talent: Vocal, “Gold”

    Parents: John and Tina Clark

Peryn Reeves-Darby, Hinds County

    High School: St. Andrews Episcopal School

    College Choice: Darthmouth College

    Career Goals: Chemical Engineer

    Talent: Piano Solo, “Phantom of the Opera Overture”

    Parents: Vonda Reeves-Darby and Alvin Darby

Katherine Elizabeth Pickering, Jones County

    High School: Laurel Christian High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Pharmacy

    Talent: Piano, “La Cumana” by Barclay Allen

    Parents: Whitney and Stacey Pickering

Mary Margaret Hyer, Lamar County

    High School: Oak Grove High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Broadcast Journalist

    Talent: Piano Solo, “Praeludium” from the First Modern Suite (MacDowell)

    Parents: Jerry and Margaret Hyer

Caroline Ann Henson, Lauderdale County

    High School: West Lauderdale High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

    Talent: Dance/Gymnastics, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”

    Parents: Kevin and Roxie Henson

Caroline Bilbro Brantley, Leake County

    High School: Leake Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Trauma Surgeon

    Talent: Comedic Monologue “Coat Hanger Sculpture”

    Parents: Jennifer and Wayne Brantley

Anna Louise Gardner, Lincoln County

    High School: Homeschool

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Physical Therapy

    Talent: Lyrical Dance, “I Can Only Imagine”

    Parents: Clint and Holly Gardner

Cassidy Lane Simmons, Lowndes County – At-Large

    High School: Mississippi School of the Arts

    College Choice: University of Arizona

    Career Goals: Develop a dance therapy program to aid those with special needs

    Talent: Contemporary Dance to “You’ve Got a Friend” by Judith Hill

    Parents: Lane Simmons and Melissa Strickland

Carolyn Michelle Halford, Madison County

    High School: Madison Central High School

    College Choice: Mississippi College

    Career Goals: Occupational Therapy

    Talent: Vocal “Stormy Weather” by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler

    Parents: Tom and Jan Halford

Madison Elizabeth Phillips, Marion County

    High School: Columbia High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Pharmacy or Dermatology

    Talent: Jazz Dance to “Are You Ready for a Miracle?”

    Parents: Scott and Dana Phillips

Mia Madeline Hall, Meridian

    High School: Meridian High School

    College Choice: New York University

    Career Goals: Television Writer and Producer

    Talent: Vocal, “Vole Mon Ange”

    Parents: Jack and Darrene Hall

Tiarra Keylee Black, Neshoba County

    High School: Philadelphia High School

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Lawyer

    Talent: Dance/Gymnastic Routine to “It’s All About Me”

    Parents: Tina and Jowaski Black

Mikayla Cathryn May, Newton County

    High School: Newton County High School

    College Choice: East Central Community College and MSU Meridian

    Career Goals: Elementary Education

    Talent: Dramatic Monologue “Spoonerism”

    Parents: Michael and Cathy May

Carlye Elizabeth

Torjusen, Pascagoula

    High School: Pascagoula High School

    College Choice: University of South Alabama

    Career Goals: Physical Therapy

    Talent: Jazz Dance to “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble’

    Parents: Debbie and Vincent Jackson and Richard Torjusen

Lorrie Cailin Warren, Pearl River County

    High School: Poplarville High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Pediatrician

    Talent: Lyrical Dance to “Bring Me Close”

    Parents: Deborah Warren and the late Stanley Warren

Breanna Suezann Traweek, Petal

    High School: Petal High School

    College Choice: William Carey University

    Career Goals: International Travel Nurse

    Talent: Vocal/Guitar Solo, “Hallelujah”

    Parents: Denice and the late Art Traweek

Emily Sarah Baughman, Pike County – At-Large

    High School: Parklane Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Physical Therapy

    Talent: Contemporary Jazz, “Gold” by Britt Nicole

    Parents: Chris and Kim Baughman

Anna Frances Robinson, Rankin County

    High School: Jackson Preparatory School

    College Choice: University of Texas, University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: Nursing, Physician’s Assistant

    Talent: Jazz/Tumbling Dance to “It’s About That Walk” by Prince

    Parents: Steve and Kay Robinson

Jodie Nicole Johnson, Scott County

    High School: Sebastopol High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Child Psychologist

    Talent: Vocal, “Cowboy’s Sweetheart”

    Parents: Shawn and Aleisa Johnson

Savannah Faith Banis, Simpson County

    High School: Simpson County Academy

    College Choice: University of Mississippi

    Career Goals: English Education

    Talent: Piano Solo, “Waltz in D Major” by Franz Shubert

    Parents: Paul and Melanie Banis

Kaci Elaine Bryant, Smith County – At-Large

    High School: Taylorsville High School

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: English major with law concentration, followed by law school

    Talent: Piano, “Rondo Alla Turca” by Mozart

    Parents: Kim and Karen Bryant

Bobby Bell Hester, Starkville

    High School: Starkville Academy

    College Choice: Mississippi State University

    Career Goals: Pediatric Gastroenterologist

    Talent: Piano Solo, “I Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin

    Parents: Richard and Felisha Hester

Haley Lynn Davis, Wayne County

    High School: Wayne Academy

    College Choice: University of Southern Mississippi

    Career Goals: Hospital Administration

    Talent: Clogging to “Soul Man”

    Parents: Jennifer and Hunter Halford and Cheryl and Eric Davis

Brittany Marie Lowery, West Jackson County

    High School: Ocean Springs High School

    College Choice: Mississippi College; William Carey University

    Career Goals: Early Childhood and Elementary Education

    Talent: Vocal, “My Favorite Things”

    Parents: Glenn and Cindy Lowery

Anna Claire Webb,

Winston

    High School: Noxapater High School

    College Choice: East Central Community College/University of Mississippi Medical Center

    Career Goals: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

    Talent: Piano, “Whitewater Chopped Sticks” by Calvin Jones

    Parents: James Robert and Susan Webb