Participants

Distinguished Young Women participants come from all walks of life, but they have one common characteristic: the desire to succeed. Each young woman receives valuable life experience through participation in the program including relationship skills, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement. The goal of Distinguished Young Women is to ensure that everyone who participates in the program at any level has an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Below is a list of participants for the upcoming 2014 Distinguished Young Women of Georgia program. Want to participate? Apply now!



Shelby Moss

Distinguished Young Woman of Alpharetta

Parents: John & Skylar Moss
College Preference: University of Southern California
Career Goals: Journalist, Actress, or Screenplay writer
Talent: Vocal Performance (Anyway, by Martina McBride)

Kerry Lemasters

Distinguished Young Woman of Atlanta

Parents: Steven & Laurel Lemasters
College Preference: Pepperdine, Baylor, Furman
Career Goals: undecided
Talent: PIANO (Etude in C Minor (Alla Tarantella), by Miller)

Maya Mapp

Distinguished Young Woman of Baldwin County

Parents: James & Bobbie Mapp
College Preference: Kennesaw State University
Career Goals: Political Science
Talent: Vocal Presentation (gospel) (Break Every Chain, by Tasha Cobbs)

Brooke Rucker

Distinguished Young Woman of Bartow County

Parents: Donald & Tanya Rucker
College Preference: Florida State University
Career Goals: choreographer, performer, fashion stylist, writer
Talent: Tap Dance ("Overture/All That Jazz" from Chicago, by John Candor)

Leila Collins

Distinguished Young Woman of Calhoun County

Parents: Marty & Diana Collins
College Preference: Georgia State University or Emory University
Career Goals: Dermatologist
Talent: Dance - Ballet en pointe (Celebrate from the movie Sparkle, by R Kelly )

Altimease Lowe

Distinguished Young Woman of Camden County

Parents: Jerry & Angel Lowe
College Preference: Georgia Southern University or UF
Career Goals: Public Relations Specialist; Marketing Manager
Talent: Vocal (I Was Here, by Beyonce)

Abigail Griffin

Distinguished Young Woman of Chatham County

Parents: Joe & Jill Griffin
Career Goals: Occupational Therapy, Journalism
Talent: Irish Dance (Celtic Footing, by Abbey Griffin)

Yehong Zhu

Distinguished Young Woman of Coweta County

Parents: Qiang & Ya Zhu
College Preference: Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt
Career Goals: Lawyer
Talent: Violin Solo (Partita No. 2 Allemande, by J.S. Bach)

Kay Bush

Distinguished Young Woman of Decatur County

Parents: Edward & Lee Bush
College Preference: GA Inst of Tech, Univ of GA, or Mercer University
Career Goals: Sports Medicine
Talent: Jazz-Acro Dance (Move (You're Steppin' on My Heart), by Jennifer Holliday, Sheryl Lee Ralph&Loretta Devine)

Emily Hatchett

Distinguished Young Woman of Dublin

Parents: Matt & Kim Hatchett
College Preference: Samford, Vanderbilt, Presbyterian College
Career Goals: Neonatologist
Talent: Piano Solo (Solfeggietto, by C.P.E. Bach )

Caroline Cunningham

Distinguished Young Woman of Fulton County

Parents: Blair & Deanna Cunningham
College Preference: University of Georgia
Career Goals: Journalism & Business
Talent: Piano (How He Loves, by John Mark McMillan)

Hannah Knight

Distinguished Young Woman of Gordon County

Parents: Kevin & Michelle Knight
College Preference: The University of Georgia
Career Goals: Major in Music Therapy/Education, Minor in Dance
Talent: Tap Dance ("Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by The Andrews Sisters, by Choreographed by Scotlyn Hill )

Hanna Holley

Distinguished Young Woman of Laurens County

Parents: Dennis & Dawn Holley
College Preference: University of Georgia; University of Alabama
Career Goals: Business Marketing- Franchise my parent's business
Talent: Piano Solo (Phrygian Toccata, by Mary Verne)

Courtney Shirley

Distinguished Young Woman of Lee County

Parents: The Late David & Patricia Shirley
College Preference: Davidson College, Georgia Institute of Technology
Career Goals: Biochemistry
Talent: Vocal Presentation (Show Tune) (Alto's Lament, by Zina Goldrich)

Madison Daughtry

Distinguished Young Woman of Leesburg

Parents: Peter & Deborah Daughtry
College Preference: North Georgia College and State University
Career Goals: Special Education Physical Therapist
Talent: Piano Solo (Whitewater Chopped Sticks, by Calvin Jones)

Julia Hinson

Distinguished Young Woman of Milledgeville

Parents: Frank Hinson & Karen Rowell
College Preference: University of Georgia
Career Goals: Economic Developer
Talent: Vocal Presentation ("Tiny Dancer", by Elton John)

Toryn Garrett

Distinguished Young Woman of Newnan

Parents: Michael & Shannon Garrett
College Preference: Belmont University
Career Goals: Musician- vocal performance/Author
Talent: Vocal Presentation (Opera) (O Mio Babbino Caro, by Puccini)

Morgan Self

Distinguished Young Woman of Quitman County

Parents: Larry & Amy Self
College Preference: Columbus State University; Auburn University
Career Goals: Communications/ Marketing
Talent: Violin (Way Back Into Love from "Music & Lyrics", by Adam Schlesinger)

Paula Reyna Small

Distinguished Young Woman of Savannah

Parents: Arthur & Paz Small
College Preference: Harvard, Stanford
Career Goals: Musican and Navy Physician
Talent: Violin Solo (Partita No. 3, Prelude, by J.S. Bach)

Jasandeep Kaur

Distinguished Young Woman of Thomaston

Parents: Baljeet Singh & Sarvjeet Kaur
Career Goals: Pediatrician, Math Teacher
Talent: Punjabi Dance ("Bhangra Mix", by Punjabi MC)

Autumn Shumate

Distinguished Young Woman of Upson County

Parents: Chad & Angela Shumate
College Preference: Julliard; Savannah College of Art and Design
Career Goals: Arts/Theater Major
Talent: Vocal Presentation (You're Gonna Miss Me, by LuLu and the Lampshades)