The Choctaw County Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program will soon be underway for 2021 honoree. This scholarship and honors program recognizes, rewards, and encourages excellence while promoting self-esteem among young women.
The 2021 Choctaw County Distinguished Young Women Program will be held Saturday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ty Cobb Auditorium at Choctaw County High School.
Participants compete in the following categories for a chance to win scholarships and prizes: Interview, Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, and Self Expression. They are also given an opportunity to participate in "Be Your Best Self," a program dedicated to the service of others and community awareness.
There are 5 contestants this year are: Ashley Denson, Lenleigh Dobbs, Tawny Gunter, Morgan McGlothin, and Kamden Williams. The 5 young women have started preparing for the event with the help of Annabelle Crowder, the 2020 Choctaw County Distinguished Young Woman and local chairwomen Ginny Lucas and Courtney Coleman.
Ashley Denson is the daughter of Steve and Robbie Denson. She is a homeschooled student who plans to attend Mississippi State University. Ashley’s career goals are either a graphic designer or anesthesiologist. Her activities/ honors are Ackerman Juniorettes Vice President, dance (tap, jazz, and ballet), church youth leadership team, childcare provider, artist, Beta Club member, and Fort Worth Mission Team. Her talent will be Faceless Portraits artwork. Her little sisters are Marlee Coleman and Evee Stevens.
Lenleigh Dobbs is the daughter of Bruce and Laura Dobbs. She is a homeschooled student who plans to attend Mississippi State University. Lenleigh’s career goals are Nutrition and/or Natural Healing. Her activities/ honors are Grace Christian Varsity Volleyball, Master Music Academy, Junior Leadership Alcorn, Reformed Youth Ministries, Eagle Homeschool, MSU Wind Symphony 2020, Best Robotics, ECMBDA Honor Band, TeenPact Leadership Schools, and MSU Honor Band 2019. Her talent will be playing the clarinet and her selection is Halagueno. Her little sisters are Ella Crowder and Susanna Dobbs.
Tawny Gunter is the daughter of Joshua Gunter and Jennifer Dempsey. She is a student at Choctaw County High School who plans to attend Michigan Tech. Tawny’s career goals are software engineer and/or enlist in the Army. Her activities/ honors are CCHS Band, Skills USA, Archery Team, Beta Club, and FFA. Her talent will be Archery and her selection is This Girl is on Fire. Her little sisters are Mary Gunter and Isabella Juarez.
Morgan McGlothin is the daughter of Dane McGlothin and Sheila Threadgill. She is a student at Choctaw County High School who plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi. Morgan’s career goals are Speech-Language Pathology. Her activities/ honors are CCHS Varsity Cheerleader, Horse Riding, CCHS FFA Member, CCHS Beta Club, cooking, horse owner/ trainer, CPR certified babysitter, and CCHS yearbook staff. Her talent will be vocal, and her selection is “For Good.” Her little sisters are Neelie Ryan Crowley and Chancey Whittington.
Kamden Williams is the daughter of Josh and Kelly Williams. She is a student at Choctaw County High School who plans to attend Itawamba Community College. Her career goals are nursing/ pre medicine.
Her activities/ honors are Ackerman Baptist Church youth group, CCHS Powerlifting, CCHS Yearbook, 2nd year Health Science Votec, CCHS Softball, CCHS Chorus, CCHS HOSA, Ackerman Baptist Church Choir, and CCHS Cheerleading Squad. Her talent will be a Jazz/ Tumbling Routine and her selection is “Oh, the Places I’ll Go.” Her little sisters are Arlee Oswalt and Molly Williams.
The winner of the Choctaw County Distinguished Young Women title goes on to represent Choctaw County at the State program in July 2020 in Meridian, MS.
Should she win there, she will then travel to Mobile, Alabama as Mississippi's Distinguished Young Woman to compete at the national competition in June of 2021. The winner of the America's Distinguished Young Woman represents the program across the country during the next year.
To participate in the Choctaw County Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program all junior girls must meet the following criteria: be a US citizen, never have been married or pregnant, live with a parent or designated guardian, hold at least a 2.0 accumulative grade point average, and meet attendance requirements.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 770,000 young women nationwide. Its mission is to empower high school young women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing self-confidence and teaching crucial life skills needed for success in college and beyond.
National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Wintzell's Oyster House, Encore Rehabilitation, Regions Financial Corporation, Evonik, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.
