Bailey Gregory, Distinguished Young Woman of Winston County, will be one of 34 Mississippi high school seniors competing for more than $28,900 in college scholarships when the 2020 Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program gets under way Thursday, July 18, in Meridian.
The state program, which is held in Meridian, Mississippi, is now in its 63h year celebrating and spotlighting outstanding achievements of the state’s best and brightest high school girls. The three nights of competition at The Evangel Temple concludes on Saturday, July 20. Curtain opens 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday. Reserved tickets for the 2020 Distinguished Young Woman Program are available for $60 for a three-night package. General admission tickets are available for $45 for a three night package, or may be purchased for individual evenings: $15, Thursday; $15, Friday; and $20, Saturday. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 2, and may be obtained by calling 601-480-3438. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are welcomed.
“We are extremely excited about this year’s program,” said Sid Wilkinson, State Chairman of the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Program. “This program celebrates what is right with today’s young people and offers them cash scholarship opportunities to further their education.” Bailey, the daughter of Kevin and Nicole Gregory of Louisville, attends Nanih Waiya High School. Academic accomplishments, membership and hobbies include the following: Mississippi Scholar, Student Council Vice President, Class Treasurer, Beta Club and Honor Roll. She plans to attend United States Military Academy to pursue a career as a Pilot.
During the week-long program in Meridian, contestants are evaluated on scholastic achievement, fitness, self-expression, talent and interview. Gregory has chosen a Piano presentation of “Maple Leaf Rag” for her talent.
If selected as Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi, Bailey will compete in the Distinguished Young Woman for 2020 finals in June of 2020, held in Mobile, Alabama. There she will compete for the opportunity to win a share of more than $100,000 in cash scholarship awards, including the $50,000 national title scholarship award.
Begun in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 765,000 young women. Our 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, Alabama Power Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Wintzell's Oyster House, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.
