Junior Miss contestants come from all walks of life, but they have one common characteristic: the desire to succeed. Each young woman receives valuable life experience through our program - relationship skills, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement. It is our goal to ensure that everyone who participates in our program has an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Below is a list of contestants for our forthcoming 2012 Distinguished Young Women. Want to participate? Apply now!



Scarlett Walker

Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

Parents: Michael & Angela Walker
College Preference: University of Alabama
Career Goals: Broadway Performer/Broadcast Journalist
Talent: Ballet en Pointe ("The Way You Make Me Feel", by Michael Jackson)

Deven Inch

Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska

Parents: Shane & Teri Inch
College Preference: Seattle Pacific University
Career Goals: Major - Music Therapy, eventually start practice.
Talent: Marimba Solo (Etude in C Major, by Clair Omar Musser)

Cosette Fife

Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona

Parents: James & Amy Fife
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: Professional Vocalist
Talent: Vocal- Musical Theatre (On My Own, by Les Miserables)

Taylor Quick

Distinguished Young Woman of Arkansas

Parents: Michael & Loretta Quick
College Preference: Texas Christian University
Career Goals: BFA Musical Theatre
Talent: Vocal (Pie Jesu, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Hannah Joo

Distinguished Young Woman of California

Parents: Steve & Kay Joo
College Preference: Swarthmore College
Career Goals: Film/Media Studies and Dance
Talent: Classical Ballet en Pointe (Gamzatti's Wedding, by Marius Petipa)

Lauren Hoppa

Distinguished Young Woman of Colorado

Parents: David & Denise Hoppa
College Preference: Oklahoma State University
Career Goals: Physical Therapist / Sports Medicine
Talent: Irish Dance (Warriors, by Ronan Hardiman)

Zoe Miller

Distinguished Young Woman of Connecticut

Parents: Lawrence & Jane Miller
College Preference: Rice University
Career Goals: Professional Violinist
Talent: Instrumental - Violin (Zigeunerweisen, by Pablo de Sarasate)

Mary Saylor

Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware

Parents: Joseph & Karen Saylor
College Preference: University of Alabama
Career Goals: Engineering degree
Talent: Vocal (Big and Loud, by Cats Don't Dance)

Rachel Appelo

Distinguished Young Woman of Florida

Parents: Daniel & Lisa Appelo
College Preference: University of Florida
Career Goals: Doctor of Nursing
Talent: Vocal (The Laughing Song, by Johann Strauss)

Mary-Clayton Gilbert

Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia

Parents: Tom & Regina Gilbert
College Preference: University of Oklahoma
Career Goals: Musical Theatre
Talent: Vocal ("Astonishing" from the musical Little Women, by Composer Jason Howland)

Hannah Matsunaga

Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

Parents: Matthew Matsunaga & Loretta Sheehan
College Preference: Vassar College
Career Goals: Attorney
Talent: Slam Poetry Performance (Beyond the Missouri Stars, by MPA Rick Baitz Collection)

Michelle Jang

Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho

Parents: John & Susan Jang
College Preference: Boise State University
Career Goals: Pediatric Dentistry
Talent: Contemporary Dance ("Breathe Again" by Sara Bareilles, by Chyna Smith)

Julia Markun

Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois

Parents: Joseph & Anne Marie Markun
College Preference: Marquette University
Career Goals: Public Relations & Spanish
Talent: Lyrical Dance ("Shake It Out", by Choreographed by Devery McCoy)

Chloe McLaughlin

Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana

Parents: Kenneth & Rhonda McLaughlin
College Preference: Indiana Wesleyan University
Career Goals: Worship Pastor
Talent: Vocal ("Blue Hair", by Joe Iconis)

Rachael Ostrem

Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa

Parents: Mark Ostrem & Denise Bachelder
College Preference: William Woods University
Career Goals: Veterinarian
Talent: Vocal Presentation (My Favorite Things)

Ankhita Samuel

Distinguished Young Woman of Kansas

Parents: Prem & Vijaya Samuel
College Preference: SLU, or UMKC
Career Goals: Pediatrician/ Part-time author
Talent: Instrumental - Violin (Concerto No. 3 in G Minor, 1st Movement, by Friederich Seitz)

Paige Wilson

Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky

Parents: Eric & Diane Wilson
College Preference: University of Louisville
Career Goals: Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Talent: Instrumental / Flute ("Concertino" for Flute in D major, by Cécile Chaminade)

Emily Redmond

Distinguished Young Woman of Louisiana

Parents: Michael & Vicki Redmond
College Preference: Texas Christian University
Career Goals: Business Public Relations and Marketing
Talent: Musical Theater (Don't Ask Me Why, by Linda Eder)

Lulama Moyo

Distinguished Young Woman of Maine

Parents: Roland Hawkes & Otrude Moyo
College Preference: Clark University, Worcester, MA
Career Goals: International Development and Creative Writing
Talent: Poetry Recitation (A Song for Soweto, by June Jordan)

Sierra Terrell

Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland

Parents: Gary & Patricia Terrell
College Preference: Troy University
Career Goals: Psychiatrist
Talent: Dance ("Gravity", by Sara Bareilles)

Emily Thomas

Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts

Parents: Anthony & Elaine Thomas
College Preference: Merrimack College
Career Goals: Secondary Education in Science
Talent: Tap Dance (Swing Set, by Jurassic 5)

Christine Houle

Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan

Parents: William & Lisa Houle
College Preference: Yale University
Career Goals: Foreign Correspondent for the New York Times
Talent: Baton Twirling ("Steal Your Rock N' Roll" from Broadway's Memphis, by Susan Usher)

Aria Stiles

Distinguished Young Woman of Minnesota

Parents: John & Karen Stiles
College Preference: Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Career Goals: Commercial Music
Talent: Violin Solo Performance ( Violin Concerto in E Major, 3rd Movt., by Mendelsohn)

Mallory Pitts

Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi

Parents: Michael & Stephanie Pitts
College Preference: Mississippi State University/ UMC Jackson
Career Goals: Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Talent: Gymnastic Routine (Charlie Daniels Medley"Devil Went Down to Georgia", by Vassar Clements)

Lizabeth Marquart

Distinguished Young Woman of Missouri

Parents: Jeff & Dawn Marquart
College Preference: Truman University
Career Goals: Optometry
Talent: Tap Dance ("I Can't Dance" , by Genesis)

Dea Biancarelli

Distinguished Young Woman of Montana

Parents: George & MaryAnn Biancarelli
College Preference: Boston University
Career Goals: Medicine
Talent: Tumbling Routine (Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, by The Andrews Sisters)

Julia Carlson

Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska

Parents: Michael & Kimberly Carlson
College Preference: University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Career Goals: Natural Health Business Owner
Talent: Vocal/Comedic Monologue (The Audition, by Matthew Calhoun)

Jordan Orris

Distinguished Young Woman of Nevada

Parents: Charles Orris & Valerie Valow-Orris
College Preference: Auburn University Honors College
Career Goals: US Senator or White House Press Secretary
Talent: Classical Piano Performance ("Toccata in E Flat Minor", by Aram Khachaturian)

Stephanie Brady

Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire

Parents: John & Karen Brady
College Preference: University of Connecticut
Career Goals: Pharmacist
Talent: Instrumental-Flute (Con Te Partiro, by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto)

Lena Sun

Distinguished Young Woman of New Jersey

Parents: Zhouming Sun & Chengmei Gao
College Preference: Princeton University
Career Goals: Public Health
Talent: Instrumental -- Violin (Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto (Liang Zhu), by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao)

Sierra Harland

Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico

Parents: David Harland & Yuka Ikebuchi
College Preference: University of Pennsylvania
Career Goals: F.B.I. Special Agent Linguist
Talent: Instrumental/Piano (Fantasie Impromptu Op. 66, by Frederic Chopin)

Gabrielle Jehle

Distinguished Young Woman of New York

Parents: Dietrich & Theresa Jehle
College Preference: University of Virginia
Career Goals: Physician
Talent: Ballet (Time to Say Goodbye, by Andrea Bocelli)

Christina Maxwell

Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina

Parents: Ken & Renee Maxwell
College Preference: University of Michigan
Career Goals: Musical Theatre
Talent: Vocal/Musical Theatre (The Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Keyna Hoselton

Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota

Parents: Scott & Cindy Hoselton
College Preference: Oklahoma City University
Career Goals: Broadway Performer
Talent: Dance/Jazz ("Money, Money, Money" from Mamma Mia, by Bee Pinotti)

Stephanie Yasechko

Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio

Parents: Ronald Yasechko & Kimberly Bagnoli
College Preference: Huntingdon College
Career Goals: Physician
Talent: Baton Twirling ("Baby I'm A Star", by Prince)

Anna-Marie Ahrberg

Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma

Parents: William & Jo Ahrberg
College Preference: Oklahoma State University
Career Goals: Sports Broadcaster
Talent: Dance - Musical Theatre ("I Want to Go to Hollywood", by Shannon Barsby)

Boni Yraguen

Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon

Parents: Juan & Kristin Yraguen
College Preference: Oregon State University
Career Goals: Mechanical Engineering and Music
Talent: Instrumental-Piano (Grieg Concerto in A minor, by Grieg)

Carolyne Henry

Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania

Parents: Stephen & Lora Henry
College Preference: Elizabethtown College
Career Goals: Surgeon
Talent: Instrumental - Violin (Caprice Basque, by Pablo de Sarasate)

Chandler Cross

Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island

Parents: Charles & Sharon Cross
College Preference: Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA
Career Goals: Musical Theater on/off Broadway, Singer/Songwriter
Talent: Vocal/contemporary (Freckles, by Natasha Bedingfield)

Bethany Mlinar

Distinguished Young Woman of South Carolina

Parents: Michael & Victoria Mlinar
College Preference: Furman University
Career Goals: International Correspondent or Journalist
Talent: Vocal (Think of Me, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Alinia Houser

Distinguished Young Woman of South Dakota

Parents: Woodrow Houser II & Melinda Houser
College Preference: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Career Goals: Dental Hygiene
Talent: Lyrical Dance (Dirt Road Prayer, by Lauren Alaina)

Lexee Hill

Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee

Parents: Stacey & Michelle Hill
College Preference: University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Career Goals: Attorney
Talent: Aerobic Gymnatics Routine (Dance Music Mix (Musical Variety))

Marin Helppie-Schmieder

Distinguished Young Woman of Texas

Parents: Thomas Schmieder & Sally Helppie
College Preference: University of the Arts; Philadelphia, PA
Career Goals: Perform in a professional modern dance company
Talent: Contemporary Jazz Dance ("Put on a Happy Face", by Liza Minnelli)

Kaitlin Paxton

Distinguished Young Woman of Utah

Parents: Bob & Michelle Paxton
College Preference: University of Utah
Career Goals: Attorney
Talent: Dance/Musical Theater (Miss Otis Regrets, by Bette Midler)

Brittany Durkee

Distinguished Young Woman of Vermont

Parents: Layton Durkee Jr. & Jenifer Durkee
College Preference: Manhattan College
Career Goals: Radiation Oncologist
Talent: Vocal/Classical (Ave Maria, by Franz Schubert)

Michelle Seywald

Distinguished Young Woman of Virginia

Parents: Hans & Yuping Seywald
College Preference: Duke University
Career Goals: Biomedical Engineer
Talent: Instrumental Piano (Passion, by Utada Hikaru)

Kendall Earl

Distinguished Young Woman of Washington

Parents: David & Peggy Earl
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: English teacher/writer
Talent: Dance - character clogging ("It's My Party", by Thalia)

Jennifer Pruett

Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia

Parents: Gregory & Lisa Pruett
College Preference: Marshall University
Career Goals: Physician Assistant
Talent: Vocal (Glory, by Salah)

Jeanette Morelan

Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin

Parents: Robert & Helen Morelan
College Preference: Belmont University
Career Goals: President of the United States in 2040
Talent: Vocal (The Prayer , by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager)

Ana Villasenor

Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming

Parents: Ponciano & Susana Villasenor
College Preference: University of Wyoming
Career Goals: Owner of a Dance Studio/ Company
Talent: Classical Vocal sung in Italian text (Quella fiamma, by Fransesco Centi)