By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
Nine young ladies participated in the Distinguished Young Women program Saturday, July 27, in Brewton.
Only one young lady from Atmore participated. Jada Johnson, Escambia County High School, represented her school and town with grace and poise.
The ladies competed in five categories – scholastics (25 percent), interview (25 percent), talent (20 percent), fitness (15 percent), and self-expression (15 percent). But there is no pageant crown that comes with this program. It’s all about scholarships.
Jada received preliminary scholarship offers from Randolph College, Lynchburg, Va.; Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss.; and Hood College, Frederick, Md. Others may be awarded at Class Day in the spring.
The ladies in the program were Sarah Aaron, W.S. Neal High School; Jana’ Binion, W.S. Neal High School; Baleigh Douglas, T.R. Miller High School; Elizabeth Glass, T.R. Miller High School; Ella Hart, T.R. Miller High School; Jada Johnson, Escambia County High School; Madison Lum, T.R Miller High School; Grace Morgan, Flomaton High School; Malin White, Flomaton High School.
Ella Hart was named the 2020 Distinguished Young Woman of Escambia County.
Other winners were
1st Alternate: Malin White
2nd Alternate: Sarah Aaron
Fitness: Madison Lum
Self-Expression: Madison Lum
Talent: Sarah Aaron
Interview: Ella Hart
Scholastics: Ella Hart
Spirit of DYW: Grace Morgan
Be Your Best Self Essay: Ella Hart
Atmore’s Rachel Ellis Lindell served as emcee. She was Escambia County’s Junior Miss 2007 (before the name was changed to Distinguished Women).
Entertainment for the evening was provided by 2019 DYW Mary Thompson Lancaster and Mackenzie Faulk, 2019 First Alternate and winner in the Talent category. New this year were the 2020 Boot Campers. These second- through sixth-grade young ladies were taught a choreographed routine to perform on stage at DYW.