Ladies shine in DYW program

Fifteen young ladies lit up the stage Saturday night, July 29, at the Escambia County Distinguished Young Women program in Brewton.

Participants were Lakeshia Betts, W.S. Neal High School; Jashira Dees, W.S. Neal; Tori Knapp, T.R. Miller High School; Alexandra Lambeth, Flomaton High School; Cassidy Murphy, Escambia Academy; Ora Nelson, T.R. Miller; Grace O’Bannon, Flomaton; Alyssa Oglesbee, Flomaton; Erin Salter, W.S. Neal; Victoria Sawyer, Escambia Academy; Jakyra Spears, T.R. Miller; Ta’Zure Thomas, W.S. Neal; Stephanie Whatley, T.R. Miller; Keyaira Wilson, Escambia County; Doryan Woods, T.R. Miller.

They were judged on the following: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression.

Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future. If you’ve ever wondered about the scholarships these high school students receive, consider the following scholarships and offers that were presented to these 15 young ladies.

University of Mobile
* University Merit Award (totaling $16,000 over 8 consecutive semesters) – Erin Salter, Ta’Zure Thomas, Jashira Dees, Gracie O’Bannon, Alexandra Lambeth, Jakyra Spears

* Dean’s Merit Award (totaling $24,000 over 8 consecutive semesters) – Cassidy Murphy, Doryan Woods, Lekeshia Betts, Victoria Sawyer,

* Founder’s Merit Award (totaling $32,000 over 8 consecutive semesters) –Keyaira Wilson, Stephanie Whatley

* Presidential Merit Award (totaling $40,000 over 8 consecutive semesters) – Alyssa Oglesbee, Ora Nelson, Tori Knapp
University of West Alabama

* Trustee Scholarship ($2,500 per year, renewable for 4 years totaling $10,000) –Keyaira Wilson, Ta’Zure Thomas, Grace O’Bannon, Doryan Woods, Ora Nelson, Stephanie Whatley, Jakyra Spears, Tori Knapp, Alexandra Lambeth, Alyssa Oglesbee, Cassidy Murphy, Jashira Dees, Lakeshia Betts, Victoria Sawyer, Erin Salter

* Tiger Achievement Award (In addition the following participants were awarded the following preliminary scholarship offer in the amount of $1,500 per year, renewable for 4 years totaling $6,000) – Cassidy Murphy, Lakeshia Betts, Keyaira Wilson, Alexandra Lambeth

* Dean’s Award ($4,500 per year, renewable for 4 years totaling $18,000) –Stephanie Whatley, Ora Nelson

* President’s Award ($5,500 per year, renewable for 4 years totaling $22,000) – Tori Knapp, Alyssa Oglesbee

Faulkner University
* Faulkner Merit Award ($5,000 per year, for a total of $20,000) – Jashira Dees

* Dean’s Scholarship Award in the amount of $6,000 per year, for a total of $24,000) – Doryan Woods, Erin Salter, Victoria Sawyer, Ta’Zure Thomas,
Gracie O’Bannon

* President’s Scholarship ($7,000 per year, for a total of $28,000) – Cassidy Murphy, Lekeshia Betts, Keyaira Wilson, Alexandra Lambeth

* Trustee’s Scholarship ($8,000 per year, for a total of $32,000) – Stephanie Whatley, Ora Nelson

* Founder’s Scholarship ($9,000 per year, for a total of $36,000) – Tori Knapp,
Alyssa Oglesbee

Mississippi State University
* $1,000 per year, renewable for four years, for a total of $4,000 – Lekeshia Betts, Victoria Sawyer, Grace O’Bannon, Keyaria Wilson, Doryan Woods, Cassidy Murphy, Alexandra Lambeth

* $3,000 per year, renewable for four years, for a total of $12,000 – Tori Knapp,
Ora Nelson, Stephanie Whatley, Alyssa Oglesbee

Members of DYW Escambia County Board of Directors are Suzanne N. Barnett and Molly Barnett, chairwomen; Julie Madden, tabulator; Claude A. Nix, judges chairman; Kathryn J. Salter, scholastics chairwoman; Rachel Lindell, choreography and official photographer; Sonya Ellis, stage director; Frankie and Jan Lanier, production; Debra Nix, tickets; Jordyn Madden, back stage.