Twenty seniors will compete for Washington DYW title

Four seniors from Whitman County are among 20 contestants who will compete in the state Distinguished Young Women at Pullman Saturday. Contestants arrived in Pullman Tuesday to prepare for the program Saturday, Aug. 3, at Beasley Coliseum.

They will compete for $10,000 in scholarships and a chance to advance to the 57th national competition at Mobile, Ala., next June.

Nicole Renard of Kennewick, who won the state title last year at Pullman went on to win the national title. She will join Linda Felber, the Colfax entrant who won the America’s Junior Miss title in 1964, and Lenne Jo Hallgren Best, the Clarkston entrant who won the title in 1976, as emcees Saturday at Beasley.

The four area entrants are Katie Largent of Colfax, Heather Young of Colton/Uniontown, Elizabeth Eakin of Oakesdale and Michaela Schad of Pullman.

Largent, Young and Eakin plan to sing in the state competiton, and Schad will play the violin.

Winner of the Washington title receives a $4,000 scholarship while the first runner-up will earn a $1,500 scholarship. The second runner-up will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

A $300 Spirit Award, two preliminary $250 scholastic scholarships and a $750 overall award for scholastic achievement also will be awarded. In addition, two $250 preliminary awards will be announced in four other judging categories: judges’ interview, talent, fitness and self-expression.

Judging the program will be Julie Stonecifer-Yokel, Washington’s Junior Miss in 1968; George Sharp, director of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau; Emily Schell Jones, a fundraiser and consultant with Changing Our World; Ed Neunherz, a business leader and past director of the Spokane Lilac Festival, and Debbie Fucile, longtime Junior Miss volunteer leader and currently volunteer coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane.

Co-chairs of the 2012-13 program are Danielle Kallaher of Pullman and Margo Balzarini of Colfax. Board president of the state program is Michelle Kinkade of Pullman. Other board officers include Carissa Little, vice president; Patty Greenberg, secretary, and Mitch Chandler, treasurer, all of Pullman. Board members are Marilyn Miller of Colfax, and Tricia Benton, Lynda Hamilton and Mary Jo Chandler, all of Pullman.

Shirley Sears of Pullman is choreographer.

Chamber of Commerce and Cougar Country Drive In will host the program participants for lunches during the week. The Pullman Senior Center will host a lunch provided by the downtown Spokane Olive Garden restaurant.

Scholastic judges are Julie Pomerenk, WSU registrar; Lynda Carey, Office of the WSU Graduate School, retired, and Dr. Steve Balzarini, a Gonzaga University faculty member.

Admission to the state event will be $20. Tickets are available through TicketsWest, 1-800-325-SEAT, or at TicketsWest.com. Tickets also will be available at the door.