Mary-Ashlyn Tucker is the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County. The North Lenoir High School student is the daughter of Jan and Ricky Tucker.
She won in three preliminary categories – talent, self-expression and interviews – and accepted the medallion from outgoing 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County Morgan Harrison.
The competition Saturday night in the packed Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center was emceed by Skip Waters, chief meteorologist with WCTI-12 in New Bern.
Nicole Robinson of North Lenoir was first runner-up. She also won in self-expression, scholastics and interviews. She is the daughter of LaVerne and Buddy Robinson.
Madison Hill was second runner-up. The Arendell Parrott Academy student is the daughter of Jeff and Prissy Hill. She also won in self-expression and scholastics.
Jordan Davis was third runner-up, also winning in talent and interviews. The Parrott student is the daughter of Jeff and Pam Davis.
The 12 contestants voted for the Spirit Award winner and came up with a tie – Allyson Heath, daughter of Jamie and Mia Heath, and Julie Williams, daughter of Junious and Teresa Williams. Both girls are South Lenoir High School students.
The scholarship program, sponsored by the La Grange Rotary Club, was directed by Mellany Davis and Ginny Pollock-Moody, and choreographed by Jennifer Tyndall.
For a complete story of all the winners and awards, see Monday’s edition of The Free Press.