Meridian will experience a slight increase in residents on Sunday, July 8 with the arrival of the 2019 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi contestants.

And though they will be in town temporarily, the young contenders’ presence will be known as they visit residents at a local retirement community and mingling with locals at an autograph party, in addition to their wardrobe fittings, rehearsals, luncheons and other activities.

If You Go

What: Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi 2019

When: Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday night finals, 8 p.m.

Where: Evangel Temple Church, 3611 MS-145

Tickets:• Reserve package for all three nights, $60; General admission for Thursday and Friday nights, $15 each night; General admission for Saturday, $20.

To purchase tickets call or text Kimbo Floyd at 601-480-3438.

“We are really excited to welcome 31 of Mississippi’s best and brightest young ladies to Meridian to compete for the title of Mississippi’s Distinguished Young Woman for 2019,” DYS-MS State Chairman Sid Wilkinson said. “This is a really strong group of girls and it will be exciting to see which one of these winners will represent us in Mobile next June.”

The contestants will vie for the overall state title during three nights of competition, which will begin Thursday at Evangel Temple Church. In addition to a whirlwind week of fun, rehearsals and establishing new friendships, the state program offers program participants cash scholarships. The Mississippi Distinguished Young Women’s Scholarship Foundation manages more than $600,000 in scholarship money that has been awarded to past participants over the past five years.

“What’s really great about this program is that it inspires young women to develop their full potential while also providing cash scholarships to help them pay for college,” Wilkerson said.

Participants in the Distinguished Young Women Program are often described as “the best of the best” among the state’s high school girls.

“These young girls excel in various areas, including academics (their average GPA is 3.5 and higher, and ACT scores are in the 28 to 30 range), talent and overall well-being,” Wilkinson said. “Not only do they represent the cities they come from, but also the state of Mississippi.”

In addition to showing their support by attending the three nights of competition, Meridian residents also are encouraged to come meet the 2019 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi contestants during Tuesday’s autograph signing party at Bella G from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Following are brief bios of the 2019 contenders:

Mallory Carol MacKenzie, Choctaw County

High School: French Camp Academy

Career goal: High School Guidance Counselor

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Acrobatic lyrical routine to “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”

Parents: Stuart and Kim MacKenzie

Clancy Rose Slay, Clarke County

High School: Quitman High School

Career goal: Physical Therapist

College choice: University of Mississippi

Talent: Original piece performed on acoustic guitar

Parents: Benton and Elise Slay

Josie Nasekos, Clinton

High School: Clinton High School

Career goal: Information Technology Management

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Classical ballet en pointe to “Esmeralda’s Entrance”

Parents: John and Marie Nasekos

Larsen Brooke Sanford, At-Large Covington County

High School: Seminary High School

Career goal: Accounting major; Marketing minor

College choice: Jones County Junior College and Mississippi State University

Talent: Piano, Self-arrangement of “Norwegian Concerto featuring Fur Elise”

Parents: Steve and Shasta Sanford

Mary Meghan Dickerson, East Jackson County

High School: East Central High School

Career goal: Dermatology

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Vocal, “I Have Confidence”

Parents: Glenn and Michelle Dickerson

Taylor Catherine Cook, East Lauderdale County

High School: Lamar School

Career goal: Master of Education Degree

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Jazz dance to “Footloose”

Parents: Shane and Toni Cook

Brooke Suzanne Patterson, Forrest County

High School: Presbyterian Christian School

Career goal: Pediatrician; Music Producer

College choice: University of Mississippi; University of California, Berkeley

Talent: Vocal/Dance performance to The Cup Song “When I’m Gone”

Parents: Buddy and Eileen Patterson

Mia Noelle Parker, George County

High School: Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Career goal: Attorney/Government

College choice: Vanderbilt University

Talent: Xylophone, medley “William Tell Overture,” “Under the Sea” and “Can-Can”

Parents: Jenny and Dewayne Layton

McKay Lee Sue Bray, Greene County

High School: Greene County High School

Career goal: Singer/Songwriter

College choice: Belmont University

Talent: Vocal/Piano, “The World Needs Love”

Parents: Scott and Loretta Bray

Caidyn Grace Crowder, Jones County

High School: South Jones High School

Career goal: Nurse Anesthetist

College choice: Vanderbilt University

Talent: Vocal, “Man of La Mancha” from “I, Don Quixote”

Parents: Anita Shawn and Grant Crowder

Emma Olivia Perkins, Lamar County

High School: Oak Grove High School

Career goal: Physician

College choice: Vanderbilt University

Talent: Vocal, “Rise Up” by Andra Day

Parents: David and Lori Perkins

Margaret Elaine Thomas, Leake County

High School: Leake Academy

Career goal: Attorney

College choice: University of Mississippi

Talent: Piano, “Docteur Gradus ad Parnassum”

Parents: David and Lillian Thomas

Anna Catherine Duong, Madison County

High School: Germantown High School

Career goal: Operatic Soprano/Vocal Professor

College choice: University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University

Talent: Classical vocal, Italian street song composed by Victor Herbert

Parents: Drs. Buu and Susan Duong

Kaitlyn Paige Bradford, Marion County

High School: West Marion High School

Career goal: Pharmacist or Prenatal/Pediatric Genetic Counselor

College choice: Pearl River Community College and University of Mississippi

Talent: Dance to “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”

Parent: Vicki Nelson

Abby Lauren Seale, Neshoba County

High School: Neshoba Central High School

Career goal: Civil Engineering/Business

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Lyrical dance to “Rise Up” by Andra Day

Parents: Steve and Tina Seale

Jasmin Marie Brooks, Newton County

High School: Newton County High School

Career goal: Nurse Anesthetist

College choice: University of Southern Mississippi

Talent: Acrobatic jazz dance to “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

Parents: Larry and Sharon Brooks

Abby Greer Craig, At-Large Noxubee County

High School: Starkville Academy

Career goal: Athletic Trainer

College choice: Alabama

Talent: Spoken word

Parents: John and Becci Craig

Lauren Elizabeth Bowlin, Pascagoula

High School: Resurrection Catholic High School

Career goal: Psychiatrist

College choice: Mississippi State University

Talent: Dance to “River” by Bishop Briggs

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Matthew F. Bowlin

Myah Eryn Harper, Pearl River County

High School: Picayune Memorial High School

Career goal: Civil Rights

College choice: University of Mississippi

Talent: Lyrical dance to “Piece by Piece” by Kelly Clarkson

Parents: Thomas and Jeri Ann McCorkle

Myla Aundrea Cox, Petal

High School: Petal High School

Career goal: Engineering

College choice: Undecided

Talent: Basketball performance to “Sweet Georgia Brown” (Remix)

Parents: Tamikia Hartfield and Markus Cox

Trinity Taylor Binkley, Rankin County

High School: Northwest Rankin High School

Career goal: Dance Company Director or Physical Therapist

College choice: University of Alabama

Talent: Pointe to “Swan Lake 14 No. 5 Pas de Deux” Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Parents: Brad and Amber Binkley

Olivia Jane Triplett, Scott County

High School: Scott Central Attendance Center

Career goal: Banking and Finance

College choice: University of Mississippi

Talent: Piano, “Rhapsody Brillante”

Parents: O.B. and Ingrid Triplett

Macy Kate Greer, Simpson County

High School: Florence High School

Career goal: Surgical Nurse

College choice: Mississippi College

Talent: Vocal, “Don’t Cry Out Loud” by Melissa Manchester

Parents: Kelly and Lisa Greer

Tymiah Aldraia Green, Smith County

High School: Raleigh High School

Career goal: Pediatric Nurse

College choice: University of Southern Mississippi

Talent: Unspecified

Parent: Roxanna Dixon

Lori Feng, Starkville

High School: Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science

Career goal: Run a social enterprise

College choice: Yale University

Talent: Piano, “Liszt Etude No. 1”

Parents: Li Wang and Gary Feng

Danielle Storm Henderson, Wayne County

High School: Wayne Academy

Career goal: English Teacher/Editor

College choice: Mississippi College

Talent: Monologue, “Worth It” by Cimorelli

Parents: Joey and Brandy Henderson

Anna Lee Taylor, West Jackson County

High School: Ocean Springs High School

Career goal: International Diplomacy

College choice: University of Mississippi

Talent: Lyrical dance to “This is Me” from “The Greatest Showman”

Parents: Calvin and Jill Taylor

Sarah Pasha, West Lauderdale County

High School: Lamar School

Career goal: Neonatal Surgeon

College choice: Dartmouth College

Talent: Piano, “Dragonfly” by Melody Bober

Parents: Dr. Azhar and Michelle Pasha

Anna Claire Bucklew, Winston County

High School: Winston Academy

Career goal: Optometrist

College choice: East Central Community College

Talent: Piano, “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2”

Parents: Denny and Ginger Bucklew