The Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County Program will present Morgan Harrison, Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County for 2013, in its annual program at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center. Harrison is a freshman at N.C. State University and the daughter of Ted and Sheila Harrison of La Grange.
Skip Waters, chief meteorologist at WCTI-TV 12 in New Bern, will emcee the program. “Reflections,” sponsored by the La Grange Rotary Club, is under the direction of Ginny Pollock-Moody, Mellany Davis and Jennifer Tyndall, choreographer.
“Because of its high standards and numerous opportunities for high school seniors, the Distinguished Young Women Program is considered one of the nation’s major youth programs and has gained the approval of educators, parents and civic leaders,” Davis said. “This program focuses on the achievements of youth.”
Twelve senior girls representing Arendell Parrott Academy, North Lenoir High School and South Lenoir High School are participating in this year’s program. Contestants include Julie Williams, sponsored by J.C. Howard Farms; Madison Hill, sponsored by Tull Hill Farms; Katelynn Davis, sponsored by The Beauty Box Salon and Spa; Nicole Robinson, sponsored by Crawley Timber Company; Haley Rouse, sponsored by Meherrin Agricultural and Chemical Company; Madeline Howard, sponsored by Modular Solutions; Taylor Perry, sponsored by SMC Home Finance; Mary-Ashlyn Tucker, sponsored by Quality Yard Care & Landscaping; Allyson Heath, sponsored by Fairfield Jewelry and Pawn; Jordan Davis, sponsored by Davis Tire Company; Madison Saint-Amand, sponsored by Kinston Clinic Pharmacy; and Tracie Taylor, sponsored by Bojangles’.
The Distinguished Young Women Program, formerly Junior Miss, has provided college scholarships and life-enhancing opportunities for young women since 1958. The national program is based in Mobile, Ala.
Lenoir County’s 2014 Distinguished Young Woman will be selected by a panel of judges representing a broad range of backgrounds and interests. Evaluation for the local, state and national levels will be based on interviews, 25%; scholastics, 20%; fitness, 15%; talent, 25%; and self-expression, 15%.
Contestants in the Lenoir County program will receive nearly $16,000 in scholarships and gifts donated by local merchants. The winner will receive a $4,000 scholarship and a clothing allowance for the state program. The first runner-up will receive a $2,500 scholarship; the second runner-up, a $1,500 scholarship; and the third runner-up, a $1,000 scholarship. All awards are in college scholarships. Three winners will be named in the five program categories and each will receive a plaque and a $250 scholarship.
The Spirit Award is given to the individual, voted on by the contestants, who is thought to embody qualities most representative of the goals of the program. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship from Jimmy and Daphne Pollock in honor of their two daughters, who were both former Spirit Winners, and a plaque given in memory of Anne Hood Capps by the Capps family.
Harrison will present two specialty acts, and other entertainers will include several local representatives from the Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina programs of 2013 and 2014. The 2013 Lenoir County Hasbeens – contestants from last year’s program – also will perform.
The 2014 winner, along with other local winners from across the state, will compete in the state program Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at War Memorial Auditorium in Greensboro. The state winner will compete in the national finals June 26-28 in Mobile, Ala. For more information, visit DistinguishedYW.org. Follow Distinguished Young Women on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Tickets to the program are available for $15 by contacting any contestant or La Grange Rotarian. Tickets also will be available at the door.
Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County 2014
7 p.m. Saturday
Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center
300 Park Ave.
$15, advance or at door