Practice sessions begin for seven DYW entrants

Practice sessions have begun for the Distinguished Young Woman of Colfax and LaCrosse. The program will be Saturday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in the Colfax High school auditorium. Tickets are $9 each and can be purchased from the young women competing or at the door.

DYW nationals have changed the rules to allow exchange students to participate for the experience. They will not, however, be eligible to win the title or any scholarship awards. One of the local contestants is from Italy and another is from Germany. They will participate in every part of the competition for the experience, but their scores will not be factored into the awards presentation.

Candidates for Colfax DYW include Miya Ensley, daughter of Jeremy and Jessie Ensley; Hayden Fulfs, daughter of Steve and Carey Fulfs; Lauryn Kennedy, daughter of Joe and Sabrina Kennedy, and McKenna Lomax, daughter of Jarred and Amber Lomax. They will compete for the Colfax title.

The LaCrosse candidate is Kaitlyn Cornish, daughter of T.J. and Kelly Cornish. She will compete to earn enough points to qualify for the DYW of LaCrosse title. She attends Colfax High School, but her home zip code is LaCrosse.

The German exchange student is Johanna Keller-Tersch, daughter of Uwe and Katrin Keller-Tersch. Her host parents are Rick and Dee Bryson.

The student from Italy is Chiara Brunialti, daughter of Enzo Brunialti and Monica Prebianca. Her Colfax host parents are J.W. and Sarina Roberts.