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Distinguished Young Women

of Lee County

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DYW requires that participants compete in four major categories: scholasticism, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Not only was I awarded a $112,000 scholarship to Hood College for my participation in the program, but I was given an incredible opportunity to perform with like-minded girls that were my age.

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I attended multiple workshops within the DYW program that were designed to help prepare participants for the fitness routine and competition as a whole. 

1. Opening Number

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2. Fitness

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The opening number and fitness routine were the most challenging parts about DYW for me. The dance experience I had prior to the competition was a summer ballet class in the 4th grade, and that was nothing compared to the routines I learned to perform on stage for DYW. With a great deal of determination, I learned multiple dance moves and exercises for competition week.

3. Talent

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I spent weeks preparing for the talent portion of the competition. Each participant was only allowed 90 seconds to show their talent, and I sang the classical piece "The Daisies" by Samuel Barber.

Listen to the song here.

4. Self Expression

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The Self Expression category requires that each participant answers the given question on stage. On the night of the competition, I was asked, "If you could put any woman on the $10 bill, who would you choose and why?"

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My Answer:

"I would like to see Ella Fitzgerald on the $10 bill. She was a musician as well as an activist and won the presidential medal of freedom. This rare award is given to honor those who have made significant contributions to the U.S. A large part of her contribution was culture.

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'She helped define the role of jazz music and show a balance between politics and music. I believe this connects to me personally in my love for music, and I believe she could demonstrate the powerful but humble approach to politics this country should represent."

5. Awards

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To all of the businesses and individuals that sponsored me in this program:

Thank you so much for believing in me.

Business Sponsors

Almost Anything: Aaron Bushey $500

Southeastern Land Group: John Hardin $250

Trinity Christian School $200

Cheryl Mann Hardin Artwork: $100

Smith T Hardware: Dozier Smith T $100

Sprayberry Orthodontics: $100

Individual Sponsors

  • Melea Burney

  • Christina Miller

  • Elizabeth Johnson

  • Nate Livingston

  • Noah Gray

  • Maggie Walker

  • Preslee McGough

  • Madelyn Tarvin

  • Kylee Lynn

  • The Blackstock Family

  • The Boone Family

  • Lucy Zellner

  • Smith T Family

  • Thomas Smith

  • Nathanial and Emmory Pitt

  • Phoebe Henderson

  • Aaron, Wendy, and Mason Bushey

  • Matt Holder

  • Ed and Lila Hardin

  • Jerry and Kay Turner

  • Kenzie, Trenton, and Julianna Anderson

  • Kevin and Jessica Anderson

  • Rachel Pair

  • Lucy Ward

  • Linda, Lucy, and Ricky Ruth

  • Abigail Gaston

  • Susan Haines

  • Lorna Wood

  • Joshua and Olivia Wolanek

  • Chip Mayfield & Family

  • Anita and Abby Lou Silvestri $100

  • Mac and Judy McClinton

  • Tim and Sydney McClinton

  • Daniel Stith

  • Dave and Kelly Milton

  • Wayne and Mary Alderman

  • Bill and Cheryl Hardin $100

  • John and Heather Hardin

  • Claire and Katherine Hardin

  • Larry and Gina Cornelius

  • Matthew Cornelius

  • Micah Coxwell

  • Leah and Lydia Glaze

  • Alivia Jowers

  • Yvette Lowe

  • The Morris Family

  • Scott and Beth Sprayberry

  • Melissa Carpenter

  • Lucy Anderson

  • Hunter Price

  • Jessie Osborne

  • Will Rhodes

  • Addison Young

  • Joshua Washburn

  • Miller Wilson

  • Phil, Sandra, and Cowboy Clark-Lewis

  • George Mann

  • Langley Lunsford

  • Jonathan Davis

  • Stephen Shropshire

  • Campbell Compton

  • Jonathan Davis

  • Grace Roberts

  • Matt and Sarah Nunnelly

  • Francie Tillman

  • Sedessie Harris

  • Auburn Harris

  • Ron Harris

  • Elodie Wacaster

  • Melea Burney

  • Aidan Burney

  • Collin Burney

  • Amy Burney

  • Julie Sears

  • Trinette James

  • Brian James

  • Greg Sears

  • Jordyn James

  • Brylen James

  • Julia Bardwell

  • Erin Irby

  • Kramer Irby

  • Sam Burney

  • Duke Bardwell

  • Rebecca Bardwell

  • TK Bardwell

  • Trish Bardwell

  • Todd Wacaster

  • Rick Burney

  • Brian and Sarah Watts

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