DYW of Garfield-Palouse

GARFIELD - A Palouse High School junior has been named Garfield-Palouse Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2025.

Hailey Beckner was selected Sunday, March 17, during a pageant at Garfield High School. Iris Turner and Camryn Blankenchip, both Palouse juniors, were runners-up.

Beckner will represent both the Garfield and Palouse communities in the statewide Distinguished Young Woman showcase in Pullman in August. The winner of the showcase will be named Distinguished Young Woman of Washington and go on to compete in the national event in Mobile, Ala., in June 2025.

Nicole Flanberg | DYW

Palouse junior Hailey Beckner was named Garfield-Palouse Distinguished Young Woman on Sunday.

Beckner follows in the footsteps of last year's winner, Ainsley Sievers.

Beckner plays volleyball and basketball, and is a member of National Honor Society and Future Farmers of America. She hopes to go to college and pursue a career in the medical field.

On Sunday, friends and family gathered in the Garfield School cafeteria to see Beckner, Turner and Blankenchip compete for the honor and $8,000 in scholarships.

The three contestants were scored with talent at 20%, fitness at 15% and self expression at 15%. Prior to the event, they were also scored each at 25% for scholastic and interview.

Scholarships awarded

Beckner and Turner were awarded $400 each in the scholastic category. The interview category was awarded to Blankenchip and Beckner at $400 each.

Beckner and Turner took $350 each in the talent category, and the fitness category award of $250 each. The duo also received $250 each for self-expression.

Beckner also received the $200 Spirit Award, voted on by her peers.

As Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2025, Beckner took home the winning medallion and $2,000 in cash-tuition scholarships. Turner was awarded $1,500 as first runner-up, and Blankenchip $1,000 as second runner-up.

Beckner's role as Distinguished Young Woman will be to represent the Garfield-Palouse communities throughout the year and spread the message "Be Your Best Self."

The Distinguished Young Woman program encourages self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: be healthy, be studious, be ambitious, and be responsible.

The competition was judged by Nicole Walker, Tami Vik, Kristi Tattershall, Michelle Kincaid, Linda Infranco and Margo Balzarini.

Ray Wallace served as the emcee.