A field of six energetic participants vied for awards, scholarships, and the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Winston County on Sunday, March 16 at Louisville High School Auditorium. The event culminated with Carsen McAdory selected as the 2026 local winner.
McAdory is the daughter of Jennifer and Mich McAdory of Noxapater and a junior at Winston Academy. As winner, McAdory received an official DYW Medallion by the Winston County DYW Committee. Additionally, she received a $1,250 cash scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship by Winston Medical Center, a $500 scholarship by McCullough Realty, and a one-year membership for The Studio Barr and Wellness (a $1,200 value).
Besides claiming the overall honor, McAdory won several categories. She was selected talent winner for her tumbling routine to “Great Balls Of Fire,” receiving a $500 cash scholarship; self-expression winner, receiving a $500 scholarship by Faulkenberys; and interview winner, receiving a $300 scholarship by All Creatures Veterinary Services and a $200 scholarship by Keeli Pigg, Attorney at Law.
McAdory will now join a slate of DYW representatives from across Mississippi for the state scholarship program competition this July in Meridian. From there, one winner will advance from Mississippi to the finals of the long-standing and well-respected DYW national scholarship competition.
During Sunday’s local competition, winners in various other categories included:
--Maggie Burns, a junior at Winston Academy and the daughter of Jennifer and Butch Burns of Louisville, was the scholastic achievement winner, receiving the $1,500 Alexis Grace Taylor Scholastic Award by the Lex Taylor family. She also won the “Be Your Best Self” Essay Award, receiving a $250 scholarship by the Silver Goose and Moody Furniture and a $250 scholarship by the Junior Auxiliary of Louisville.
--Hayden Cheatham, a junior at Winston Academy and the daughter of Chris and Leah Cheatham of Noxapater, was selected First Alternate, receiving a $1,000 cash scholarship, a $500 scholarship by Gail Eaves, CPA, and a $300 scholarship by Bright Hope Therapy. She was also the physical fitness winner, receiving a $500 cash scholarship, and the Caroline Fair Spirit Award winner, receiving the $750 Caroline Fair Spirit Scholarship by the John Fair Family.
--Marley Lowrey, a junior at Nanih Waiya Attendance Center and the daughter of Joey and Joy Lowrey of Louisville, was selected Second Alternate, receiving a $750 cash scholarship and a $500 scholarship by Gail Eaves, CPA.
Rounding out the 2026 participants were Cayman Russell, a junior at Nanih Waiya Attendance Center and the daughter of Christy Stockstill of Louisville, and Jillian Sims, a junior at Winston Academy and the daughter of Laura Hope and Brian Sims of Louisville.
“On behalf of our participants, their parents, and DYW, we wholeheartedly thank our sponsors and program advertisers. We look forward to preparing Carsen McAdory for the upcoming state competition this July,” said Madelon Flippo.
The Winston County DYW Committee includes Ashley Bates, chair; Ashley Williams, co-chair; Sydney Curran, Madelon Flippo, Erin Fulgham, Kayla Fuller, Dayna Hunter, Kelsey Lipsey, Aubrey Manning, Megan McMillan, Paige Parker, and Mollie Smith.
