Contributed to the Observer
LEE COUNTY —
The Distinguished Young Woman of Lee County Program will host its 2023 program on June 11, 2022, at 4:30 p.m., at the Opelika Performing Arts Center.
High school senior girls from across the county will join together to participate and compete for college scholarships as well as the opportunity to represent Lee County at the Alabama Distinguished Young Woman Program in January of 2023. Lee County Distinguished Young Woman, Anslee Tatum, has represented Lee County for the 2022 year.
The young women competing will be evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories: Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%) and Self-Expression (15%). Interview and talent workshops will be held in June. Participants will learn the group fitness and self-expression routines with choreographer Kasey Shepherd from Nix Dance Studio.
All workshops and events focus on the “Be Your Best Self” program which includes: Be Healthy, Be Ambitious, Be Involved, Be Responsible, Be Studious. Special guests will join and share with the young women participating in the program. This year, the program will also host a DYW Darlings program for girls in second through sixth grade.
The Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. Tickets can be purchased online at https://myevent.com/dywleeco.
Shivani Babu
High School: Auburn High School
Career Goals: Dermatologist
College Choices: Vanderbilt University
Activities/Honors: Science Olympiad • UNICEF • Science Fair • Mu Alpha Theta • Key Club • Biology Club • UNICEF • Technology Student Association • Alabama Junior Academy of Sciences
Talent: Indian Fusion Dance
Selection: Dholida
Emma Childs
High School: Opelika High School
Career Goals: Physical Therapist
College Choices: Auburn University
Activities/Honors: Competitive Dance (10 years) • Diamond Darling (baseball volunteer) • Opelika High School Varsity Golf • Student Government Association • Opelika High School Varsity Cheer • Member of The Church Of The Highlands • Opelika High School Varsity Competitive Cheer • HOSA club
Talent: Tap Dance
Selection: Rhythm
Susannah Couey
High School: Opelika High School
Career Goals: International Business and Marketing
College Choices: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Activities/Honors: Opelika High School Varsity Cheerleader • Student Government Association, Vice President (2021); Historian (2020) Health Occupations Students of America, President (2021); Treasurer, Opelika High School Theatre Society • Future Business Leaders of America, Activities Director (2021) • Future Farmers of America, Treasurer (2021) • Opelika High School Morning Broadcaster • World Language Club • One Accord Youth Choir • Fellowship of Christian Athletes Talent: Theatrical Monologue Selection : Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Caroline Glennon
High School: Auburn High School
Career Goals: Director of Marketing
College Choices: Auburn University
Activities/Honors: Auburn Varsity Singers Show Choir • AHS DECA • Variations Dance Studio Dancer 2008-Present • AHS Student Council • AHS Spanish Club • Church Youth Group • AHS Key Club • AHS Kindness Club • AHS World Literacy Club • AHS Model United Nations
Talent: Dance
Selection: I Didnt Know My Own Strength
Keely Rider
High School: Opelika High School
Career Goals: Environmental Engineering
College Choices: University of Georgia
Activities/Honors: Competitive Dance- (14 years)- Make Your Move Performing Arts • Opelika High Theatre Society • OHS HOSA (Future Health Professionals) • OHS SGA- President • OHS Key Club-Vice President • OHS Tennis (2 years) • OHS FBLA(Future Business Leaders of America) • World Language Club • OHS Emissary • Lee County Young Leaders
Talent: Jazz Dance
Selection: “Rhythm is a Dancer”
Holly Roberson
High School: Auburn High School
Career Goals: Engineer
College Choices: Auburn University
Activities/Honors: Auburn High School Ambassador • Auburn High School Varsity Softball Team (2022) • 2nd and 3rd Grade Sunday School Teacher – Cornerstone Methodist Church • German Club -Member • Auburn High School Track and Field Team (2020) • Auburn High School Junior Varsity Softball Team (2020-2021) • Leadership Team – Fellowship of Christian Athletes (2020)
Talent: Dance and gymnastics
Selection: Ease On Down the Road, from The Wiz
Delacey Wilkerson
High School: Auburn High School
Career Goals: Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon
College Choices: Lagrange College
Activities/Honors: Health Occupational Students of America • Key Club • Class of 2023 Senior Representative for Lauren Beesley Photography • Student Athletic Trainer • Health Science Internship • 2022-2023 Lee County Young Leaders • The Sheet
Talent: Monologue Reading
Selection: Coffee Slave, an excerpt from the one act play Hello, Goodbye, Peace