All six contestants at the conclusion of Saturday’s Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County program. Photo by Jessica Murphy / Neuse News

2020 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County: Anna Hull

First Runner-up: Avery Harper

Second Runner-up: Rebekah Lemon

Fitness (15%): Kennedy Santes & Rebekah Lemon

Talent (20%): Anna Hull & Avery Harper

Self Expression (15%): Avery Harper & Anna Hull

Scholastic: Avery Harper & Anna Hull

Interview: Anna Hull & Rebekah Lemon

Be Your Best Self: Anna Hull

Spirit: Kennedy Santes

ORIGINAL STORY
Published Sep 19, 2019

The Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County program proudly presents Conner Craft, Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County for 2019, in its annual program which will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 21, 2019 in the Kinston High School Performing Arts Center. Craft is currently a freshman at North Carolina State University and is the daughter of John and Tanya Craft.

Brandy Jones Burd will emcee the program, “Puttin on the Ritz” as the participants enjoy performing to a variety of tunes from the twenties. Sponsored by the La Grange Rotary Club, the program is under the direction of Mia Heath, Ginny Moody and choreographer Jennifer Tyndall.

“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,” Heath said. “This program focuses on the achievements of youth.”

The local program is part of a nationwide effort to recognize, reward, and encourage excellence and education among all young people. Six senior girls representing South Lenoir High School, North Lenoir High School, and Lemon Christian Academy will compete for over $6,000 in scholarships and gifts. The scholarship money will help further their education and the gifts are donated by local merchants.

Participants in the 2020 program include:

Kennedy Santes, daughter of LaDonna and Tim Dilday, and Francisco Santes, sponsored by Southern Pharmacy; Anna Hull, daughter of Sandy and Michael Hull, sponsored by INKables Screenprinting and Embroidery; Rebekah Lemon, daughter of John and Joi Lemon, sponsored by Stone Laboratories; Erica Andrews, daughter of Laura Foss and Floyd Andrews, sponsored by Braggin Rights Charters; Rachel Lemon, daughter of John and Joi Lemon, sponsored by Jimbo and Joan Perry; Avery Harper, daughter of Craig and Michelle Harper, sponsored by Sandpiper Seafood.

Since 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 765,000 young women. Our mission is to empower high school young women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing self-confidence and teaching crucial life skills needed for success in college and beyond.

National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media group.

Last year, Distinguished Young Women provided more than $1.1 billion in cash and college scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national level. Previously known as America’s Junior Miss, the program announced its new name in June 2010.

The 2020 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County will be selected by a panel of individuals representing a broad range of backgrounds and interests. Evaluation in the local program will be based on the following standards, which are also used on the state and national levels: interviews, 25%; scholastics, 25%; fitness, 15%; talent, 20%; and self-expression, 15%.

The 2020 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County, along with other local winners from across the state, will compete in the state program January 21st and 22nd in Greensboro. The state winner will then travel to Mobile, Alabama in June for the national finals. The 2020 National Finals will be held June 27, 28, and 29, 2020.

Numerous area businesses and individuals have contributed scholarship money to this program, including Dr. and Mrs. Kent Denton; Union Bank; Southern Bank of La Grange; Jimmy and Daphne Pollock; The Stephen Hill family; Ray and Marian Kennedy; Foss Recycling; Stacie and Frederick Smith; Woodmen of the World; David and Ginny Moody; Lenoir UNC Health Care; Allco Electric Inc.; La Grange Chamber of Commerce; Kenneth and Beverly Lafone; Food Lion; John and Sue Walmsley; and Holton and Mary Margaret Harrison; P&D Precast, and Dr. Dennis Michels Melissa Michels Termini. Other businesses have generously supported the program with donations and by giving of their time. These businesses include Potter Photography, the Kinston Daily Free Press, the Weekly Gazette, Neuse News, and the Anne Hood Capps family.

Tickets to the program may be purchased for $20 by contacting any participant or La Grange Rotarian. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Jessica Sawyer, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Jessica@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org