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 2013 Distinguished Young Women. Want to participate? Apply now!



Jean Elizabeth Miles

Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

Parents: N/A N/A & Melanie Miles
College Preference: Auburn University
Career Goals: Civil Engineering
Talent: Piano (Sabre Dance, by Aram Khachaturian)

Emma Scott

Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska

Parents: James & Shari Scott
College Preference: Seattle University
Career Goals: History and Economics Major
Talent: Tap Dance

Katie Wilkinson

Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona

Parents: David & Cherie Wilkinson
College Preference: Pepperdine University
Career Goals: Sports Medicine, Business Communication
Talent: Vocal Presentation (Broadway) ("Someone Like You", by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn)

Elizabeth Wing

Distinguished Young Woman of Arkansas

Parents: Carlton & Leigh Wing
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: Marriage and Family Counselor
Talent: Contemporary Ballet ("Ushas" by E.S. Posthumus, by Elizabeth Wing)

Ling Zeng

Distinguished Young Woman of California

Parents: Fu-Yue Zeng & Bing Xia
College Preference: University of Southern California
Career Goals: Business, Economics, Computer Science
Talent: Instrument - Piano (Scherzo No. 1 in B minor (variation), by Frederic Chopin)

Katelyn Pyfer

Distinguished Young Woman of Colorado

Parents: Kevin & Patti Pyfer
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: High School Theater Teacher and Math Teacher
Talent: Piano and Vocal Presentation ("Trolley Train", by Katelyn Pyfer)

Jean St. Onge

Distinguished Young Woman of Connecticut

Parents: Richard & Cynthia St. Onge
College Preference: University of Connecticut
Career Goals: Foreign Language Teacher
Talent: Ballet/Contemporary (The Promise, by Michael Nyman)

Taylor Paskey

Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware

Parents: William & Andria Paskey
College Preference: University of Delaware
Career Goals: Orthopedic Surgeon
Talent: Ballet en Pointe (Esmerelda Variation, by Composed by Cesare Pugni)

Ciera Horton

Distinguished Young Woman of Florida

Parents: John & Leia Horton
College Preference: Wheaton College
Career Goals: Writer, English Professor
Talent: Vocal Presentation (show tune) (Gimme Gimme, from Thoroughly Modern Millie, by Jeanine Tesori)

Avian Brown

Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia

Parents: Mason & Linda Brown
College Preference: Auburn University
Career Goals: International Business - Marketing/Communications
Talent: Violin Solo ("Czardas"/"The Devil Went Down to Georgia", by Vittorio Monti/Charlie Daniels)

Chelsea Robinson

Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

Parents: Charles & Sherry Robinson
College Preference: Hawaii Pacific University
Career Goals: Guidance Counselor
Talent: Vocal Presentation (Broadway) ("Home", by From Broadway's The Wiz- Composer Charlie Smalls)

Natalie Stoker

Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho

Parents: Lance & Darlene Stoker
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: Business Finance & Photography
Talent: Musical Theater Vocal ("The Trolley Song", from Meet Me In St. Louis, by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane)

Isha Jog

Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois

Parents: Nitin & Gauri Jog
College Preference: Loyola University Chicago
Career Goals: Business Management and Marketing
Talent: Indian Classical Dance - Kathak (Mhere Dholna, by Shreya Goshal)

Alexandra Hochstetler

Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana

Parents: Nathan & Rhonda Hochstetler
College Preference: IUPUI Honors College
Career Goals: MD/PhD, Neurobiology: Collegiate Teaching/Research
Talent: Piano Performance (Warsaw Concerto, by Richard Addinsell)

Erica Swanson

Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa

Parents: Don & Patricia Swanson
College Preference: Iowa State University
Career Goals: Pre-Medicine
Talent: Tap Dance (Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, by KT Tunstall)

Alyssa Champlin

Distinguished Young Woman of Kansas

Parents: Corey & Angela Champlin
College Preference: Kansas State University- Pre-Med Chemistry
Career Goals: Pediatrician
Talent: Pointe (Ballet) ("Dare You To Move" by Vitamin String Quartet, by Choreographed by Mara Klenda)

Ellen Ward

Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky

Parents: Douglas & Jacqueline Ward
College Preference: University of Kentucky
Career Goals: Physical Therapist, Business Owner, Dancer
Talent: Modern Dance (Dance, Dance, Dance, by Lykke Li)

Sarah Gandy

Distinguished Young Woman of Louisiana

Parents: Jim Gandy, Jr. & Arlene Gandy
College Preference: Northwestern State University
Career Goals: Major in Mass Comm, become a sports broadcaster
Talent: Tumbling and Dance routine (Free Ride, by Edgar Winter Group)

Maggie Whittemore

Distinguished Young Woman of Maine

Parents: Duffy & Rhonda Whittemore
College Preference: Saint Michael's College
Career Goals: Guidance Counselor
Talent: Tap Dancing ("Footloose" by Kenny Loggins, by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford)

Aleksandra Knepper

Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland

Parents: David Knepper & Joan Andorfer
College Preference: High Point University
Career Goals: Mass Communication
Talent: Vocal ("Tonight" from "West Side Story", by Leonard Bernstein/composer Lyrics/StephenSondheim )

Brittany Churchill

Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts

Parents: Mark & Sandra Churchill
College Preference: Bridgewater State University
Career Goals: musical therapy or education
Talent: Vocal Presentation (opera) (Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Anna Dai

Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan

Parents: Yang Dai & Zao Chen
College Preference: University of Michigan
Career Goals: Engineering or Business
Talent: Contemporary-Lyrical Dance (Happy, by Leona Lewis)

Janessa Palmer

Distinguished Young Woman of Minnesota

Parents: Robert Palmer & Amy Juel-Palmer
College Preference: University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Career Goals: Veterinary Medicine
Talent: Vocal Performance (Che Fiero Costume, by Giovanni Legrenzi)

Mackenzie Ross

Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi

Parents: Jim & Cindy Ross
College Preference: The University of Alabama
Career Goals: Legal Analyst
Talent: Piano (Moonlight Sonata - 3. Presto Agitato, by Ludwig van Beethoven)

Ashley Cummins

Distinguished Young Woman of Missouri

Parents: Richard & Melissa Cummins
College Preference: Saint Louis University
Career Goals: Pediatrician
Talent: Lyrical Jazz Dance (Run, by Leona Lewis)

Katherine Shea

Distinguished Young Woman of Montana

Parents: James & Kathleen Shea
College Preference: University of Montana-Davidson Honors College
Career Goals: Journalist/Editor/Book Publisher
Talent: Vocal (Anything Goes, by Cole Porter)

Madeline Miller

Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska

Parents: Kevin & Mary Lorraine Miller
College Preference: Point Park University
Career Goals: Professional Dancer/Dance Teacher
Talent: Jazz Dance (Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson/David Garrett)

Alexis Hilts

DIstinguished Young Woman of Nevada

Parents: Edward & Pamela Hilts
College Preference: Georgetown
Career Goals: Pre-medicine
Talent: Piano Solo (Kitten on the Keys, by Zez Confrey)

Kaylee Oberlies

Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire

Parents: Paul & Gail Oberlies
College Preference: Brandeis University
Career Goals: Neuroscience, International Relations
Talent: Jazz Dance ("Scared of Me" by Fedde le Grand, by Choreographer Amanda Shaw)

Morgan Taylor

Distinguished Young Woman of New Jersey

Parents: Roger & Melinda Bryson
College Preference: Montclair State University
Career Goals: Writer/ Producer for Feature Film, Theater, & TV
Talent: Piano and Vocal Presentation (Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen)

Jimmienell Morgan

Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico

Parents: John & Greg Morgan
College Preference: University of NM, Colorado State Univerity
Career Goals: International Business
Talent: Vocal Presentation (modern) making beat with a cup (You're Gonna Miss Me, by Lulu and the Lampshades )

Brittany Egnot

Distinguished Young Woman of New York

Parents: James & Barbara Egnot
College Preference: UAlbany College of Nanoscale Science and Eng.
Career Goals: Biomedical Engineering
Talent: Piano (Op. 37 No. 8, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)

Amie Sessoms

Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina

Parents: Brian & Sallie Sessoms
College Preference: University of South Carolina
Career Goals: English Major
Talent: Dance, Lyrical ("Note to God", by Charice)

Carolyn Mickelson

Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota

Parents: Todd & Margaret Mickelson
College Preference: Concordia College
Career Goals: Pre-medicine/Spanish
Talent: Piano Solo (Toccata in E Flat Minor, by Aram Khachaturian)

Julia Shappert

Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio

Parents: Stephen & Rhonda Shappert
College Preference: Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama
Career Goals: Mathematics and Secondary Education
Talent: Vocal Presentation ("Show Off" from Broadway's The Drowsy Chaperone, by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison)

Rachel Wittenbach

Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma

Parents: Paul & Paula Wittenbach
College Preference: University of Oklahoma
Career Goals: Chemical Engineer
Talent: Flute Solo (The Flight of the Bumblebee, by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov)

Ally Malone

Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon

Parents: Matt & Taysia Malone
College Preference: Oregon State University Honors College
Career Goals: Aerospace Engineering
Talent: Filipino Cultural Dance (Pandango Sa Ilaw)

Sarah Fuller

Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania

Parents: David & Geralyn Fuller
College Preference: Boston University
Career Goals: Early Childhood and Special Education teacher
Talent: Tap Dance (Jumpin Jack, by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy)

Nisa Villareal

Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island

Parents: Edward & Lisa Villareal
College Preference: Quinnipiac University
Career Goals: Nursing, Health Sciences
Talent: Tumbling/Cheer/Dance Routine (Power Prep (Remix), by www.cheersounds.com)

Rachel Tunney

Distinguished Young Woman of South Carolina

Parents: Fran & Sharon Tunney
College Preference: DePaul University
Career Goals: Communications, Perform, Create a dance company
Talent: Contemporary Jazz Dance (Swan Lake Concerto , by Raymond George )

Rosalyn Rasmussen

Distinguished Young Woman of South Dakota

Parents: Alan & Rochelle Rasmussen
College Preference: University of Sioux Falls
Career Goals: music ministry and political science
Talent: Vocal presentation (I Dreamed a Dream , by Les Miserables)

Katherine Ward

Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee

Parents: William & Karen Ward
College Preference: Belmont University
Career Goals: Public Relations, Political Science
Talent: Vocal Presentation (show tune) ("Astonishing" from Little Women)

Anna Hiran

Distinguished Young Woman of Texas

Parents: Bruce & Nan Hiran
College Preference: University of Texas Business Honors
Career Goals: Pursue a career in business or law
Talent: Lyrical Dance (Every Time It Rains, by Charlotte Martin)

Brianna Bracey

Distinguished Young Woman of Utah

Parents: Richard & Kim Bracey
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Vocal Performance
Talent: Vocal (Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye), by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto)

Riya Patel

Distinguished Young Woman of Vermont

Parents: Nikhil & Nanda Patel
College Preference: Harvard College
Career Goals: Major in Economics and Government; Pursue JD/MBA
Talent: Violin Solo with piano accompaniment (Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), by Pablo De Sarasate)

Sabrina Gerlich

Distinguished Young Woman of Virginia

Parents: Bruce & Cheryl Gerlich
College Preference: University of Virginia
Career Goals: Pediatrician
Talent: Jazz Dance (Fame by Naturi Naughton, by choreographer Amanda Dean)

Nicole Renard

Distinguished Young Woman of Washington

Parents: Victor & Pamela Renard
College Preference: Chapman University
Career Goals: Host a traveling show about various cultures
Talent: Musical Theater Jazz Dance (Amazing Mayzie from Seussical the Musical, by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty)

Natalia Sklioutovskaya-Lopez

Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia

Parents: Manuel Lopez & Kristina Sklioutovskaya
College Preference: University of Charleston
Career Goals: Pediatrician
Talent: Rhythmic Gymnastics ribbon routine ("Night on Bald Mountain", by Modest Mussorgsky)

Sydney Kirkegaard

Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin

Parents: Steve & Danita Kirkegaard
College Preference: Texas Christian University
Career Goals: Performing Arts- Broadway, Film, and Television
Talent: Vocal/Tap Dance ("Forget About the Boy" - Thoroughly Modern Millie)

Brittany Anderson

Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming

Parents: Kevin & Stephanie Anderson
College Preference: University of Wyoming
Career Goals: nurse practitioner
Talent: Vocal Presentation (show tune) ("Don't Rain on my Parade", by Glee version)