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)

Hannah Joo

Distinguished Young Woman of California

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

Zoe Miller

Distinguished Young Woman of Connecticut

Parents: Lawrence & Jane Miller
College Preference: Indiana University, Cleveland Institute of Music
Career Goals: Violinist
Talent: Violin Performance (Csardas, by Vittorio Monti)

Mary Saylor

Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware

Parents: Joseph & Karen Saylor
College Preference: Undetermined
Career Goals: Biomedical Engineer
Talent: Vocal (River Deep Mountain High, by Tina Turner)

Rachel Appelo

Distinguished Young Woman of Florida

Parents: Daniel & Lisa Appelo
College Preference: FSU or UF
Career Goals: Nurse Practitioner
Talent: Vocal (Think of Me, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Mary-Clayton Gilbert

Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia

Parents: Tom & Regina Gilbert
College Preference: Elon University
Career Goals: BFA in Musical Theatre
Talent: Vocal ("Piece of Sky" from the musical "Yentl", by Composer Alan Bergman)

Jenna Frowein

Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

Parents: Ulrich Frowein & Terri Needels
College Preference: Stanford (Admitted; Committed to Gymnastics Team)
Career Goals: Sustainable Architectural Engineering
Talent: Gymnastics (Diablo Rojo, by Rodrigo y Gabriela)

Michelle Jang

Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho

Parents: Bong & Su Jang
College Preference: University of Washington, Boise State University
Career Goals: Orthodontist, Dentist
Talent: Contemporary Dance ("Breathe Again" by Sara Bareilles, by Chyna Smith)

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 ("Badinerie" from Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, by Johann Sebastian Bach)

Emily Redmond

Distinguished Young Woman of Louisiana

Parents: Michael & Vicki Redmond
College Preference: Texas Christian University, Baylor, LSU
Career Goals: Public Relations, Journalism, Business
Talent: Musical Theater ("I Wanna Be A Rockette", by Broadway Musical Kicks)

Sierra Terrell

Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland

Parents: Gary & Patricia Terrell
College Preference: Penn State
Career Goals: Psychiatrist
Talent: Dance ("Almost Lover", by A Fine Frenzy)

Christine Houle

Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan

Parents: William & Lisa Houle
College Preference: University of Pennsylvania or Columbia 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)

Mallory Pitts

Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi

Parents: Michael & Stephanie Pitts
College Preference: Mississippi State University/ UMC Jackson
Career Goals: Physical Therapist
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: MSU, UMKC, MU, or STL College of Pharmacy
Career Goals: Medicine, Pharmacy, or Journalism
Talent: Dance ("I Can't Dance" , by Phil Collins)

Dea Biancarelli

Distinguished Young Woman of Montana

Parents: George & MaryAnn Biancarelli
College Preference: Yale University
Career Goals: Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief Medicine
Talent: Dance (Dancing with Myself, by Billy Idol)

Julia Carlson

Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska

Parents: Michael & Kimberly Carlson
College Preference: Northwestern
Career Goals: Psychology and Neurology
Talent: Dance (Don't Stop Believin' in This Love on Earth, by Mash up by: Titus Jones )

Stephanie Brady

Distinguished Young Woman of New Hampshire

Parents: John & Karen Brady
College Preference: University of Connecticut, Dartmouth, Northeastern
Career Goals: Pharmacist
Talent: Instrumental-Flute (Time To Say Goodbye, by Written by Francesco Sartori and Lucio Quarantotto)

Keyna Hoselton

Distinguished Young Woman of North Dakota

Parents: Scott & Cindy Hoselton
College Preference: Oklahoma City University
Career Goals: Dance Performance
Talent: Dance (Orange Colored Sky (Michael Bublé), by Keyna Hoselton)

Anna-Marie Ahrberg

Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma

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

Boni Yraguen

Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon

Parents: Juan & Kristin Yraguen
College Preference: Stanford University
Career Goals: Marine Biology and Communications
Talent: Piano Performance ( Polonaise in A flat Major, by Chopin)

Carolyne Henry

Distinguished Young Woman of Pennsylvania

Parents: Stephen & Lora Henry
College Preference: Villanova University
Career Goals: Dermatology
Talent: Instrumental (Violin) ("Tambourin", by A.E. Gretry)

Bethany Mlinar

Distinguished Young Woman of South Carolina

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

Lexee Hill

Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee

Parents: Stacey & Michelle Hill
College Preference: University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Career Goals: Attorney
Talent: Dance ("Hound Dpg" from Smokey Joe's Cafe, by Morgan Gillette)

Kaitlin Paxton

Distinguished Young Woman of Utah

Parents: Bob & Michelle Paxton
College Preference: University of Utah
Career Goals: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Law Degree
Talent: Piano Solo (Etude Op.10, No.12, by Frederic Chopin)

Kendall Earl

Distinguished Young Woman of Washington

Parents: David & Peggy Earl
College Preference: Brigham Young University
Career Goals: writer, teacher
Talent: Dance - character clogging ("It's My Party" from The Marvelous Wonderettes, by Roger Bean)

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: Harvard University
Career Goals: President of the United States in 2040
Talent: Opera (O Mio Babbino Caro, by Giacomo Puccini)