The Choctaw County 20th Century Club will again sponsor this year’s Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) for Choctaw County 201 to be held at the Ty Cobb Complex at CCHS on March 17 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10.00.
This year’s program features the theme “Fiesta” with five ladies vying for the distinction of being named the Distinguished Young Woman of Choctaw County.
The yearly program provides contestants a chance to compete for thousands of dollars in college scholarships and a chance to represent Choctaw County at local events and at the state contest in Meridian in July, and possibly at the national finals in Mobile next June.
The DYW scholarship program is based on academic scholastics, interview skills, talent, public speaking skills, and physical fitness.
Having grown in the last few years, the Choctaw County Distinguished Young Woman Program has since been able to award over $12,000 in cash and college scholarships to local high school girls who want to further their education.
The non-profit program’s goal is to honor young women and encourage them to obtain a college degree. Tuition costs are very expensive now, and every little bit helps these days. However, the local program not only ’t just award money to the winner, but also to the runner-ups.
Ginny Lucas and Courtney Coleman serve as Chairmen for this year’s program.
The program will also feature DYW Little Sisters, young ladies who aspire to become DYW contestants someday. Each of the five contestants will have two little sisters.
Last year’s winner for DYW 2018 was Ms. Brookelyn Box of French Camp. She is the daughter of Keith and Jennifer Box. Box was named a top ten finalist, fitness award winner, and overall self-expression winner at the state program this past July.
Morgan McDaniel
Morgan attends Oak Hill Academy and has plans to attend UAB to study to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse. Her activities and honors include: Basketball Team, Anchor Club, Drama Club, Church Youth Group, and Madrigals Choir. Morgan’s talent for the pageant will be a piano and vocal performance of the selection “Boys Like You.”
Morgan’s parents are Dr. Chris & Dr. Christina McDaniel. Her Little Sisters are Hailey O’Bryant and Adrianna O’Bryant.
Mallory MacKenzie
Mallory attends French Camp Academy and has plans to attend Mississippi Sate University to study to be a High School Guidance Counselor. Her activities and honors include: Tennis, Beta Club, Cheerleading Squad, Babysitting, First Baptist Kosciusko Youth Group, Choir, Girls’ Weight Lifting. Mallory’s talent for the pageant will be an acrobatic lyrical dance to the selection “This is Me (The Greatest Showman).”
Mallory’s parents are Stewart and Kim MacKenzie. Mallory;’s Little Sisters will be Katie Littlejohn and Brianna Grice.
Judith Cravens
Judith attends French Camp Academy and has plans to attend the University of Mississippi to study as a trauma surgeon. Her activities and honors include: Cheer Velocity Competitive Cheer, Slow Pitch Softball, HOSA member, Praise Team at New Zion Baptist, Mission Trips. Judith’s talent for the pageant will be singing the selection “All That Matters from Finding Neverland.”
Judith’s parents are Paul Cravens and Emily Johnston. Her Little Sisters are Kamden Williams and Mackenzie Sanders.
Halle Stevenson
Halle attends Choctaw County High School and has plans to attend The University of Mississippi to study to be an orthodontist. Her activities include: Student Government Treasurer, Student Government Class Representative, Beta Club, Office/Counselor Aide, Varsity Cheerleader, Cross Country Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yearbook Staff, Chorus, Ackerman Baptist Church Youth Group. Halle’s talent for the pageant will be a jazz and tumbling routine to a medley of 80’s rock music.
Halle’s parents are Scott Stevenson and Tisha Smith. Her Little Sisters are Claudia Cade and Maddie Stevenson.
Carol (Millie) Taylor
Carol attends Grace Christian School and has plans to attend the University of Mississippi to study to be a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Her activities and honors include: Beta Club Vice President, Ackerman Baptist Church Youth Group, Anchor Club, Leadership Team at church, Mission Trips, Varsity Volleyball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Barre Class, Volunteering at Broken Wings, Tutoring. Carol’s talent for the pageant will be a piano solo of the selection “Springtime.”
Carol’s parents are Keith Taylor and Rachel Milner. Her Little Sisters are Jenna Bellew and Morgan McGlothin.
It should be a very enjoyable performance; please make plans to attend this fantastic event this Saturday.
