As Lamar County’s Rebekah Williams was named Mississippi’s Distinguished Young Woman Saturday night in Meridian, she also became the fourth state title holder from the Pine Belt.
Williams joined Hattiesburg’s Jane Granberry, Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen, who is competing in the national pageant this week in Orlando, Fla., the Hub City’s Mary Margaret Hyer, Miss Mississippi, who is one month into her reign and will compete later in the year in the Miss America Pageant, and Serenity Sullivan of Hattiesburg, Mississippi's Pre-Teen, who will compete at the national level in Anaheim, Calif. Nov 23-30.
Williams, who is a rising senior at Purvis High School, was named the overall fitness winner and was named a double preliminary winner in Talent and Scholastic during the week. For her talent, she performed a dance presentation of “Fly With Me.”
Miss Petal Phoebe Stutts, who sang “Astonishing” by Louise Dearman, was the Overall Talent Winner, while Lainey James, Miss Forrest County, picked up preliminary awards in Self Expression and Fitness.
Williams said standing on stage and waiting for the winner for the winner to be named alongside the alternates, who had already been named and the other six Top 10 contestants, was honestly the most stressful part of the whole week.
“By that point, I had done everything I needed to do and it was all in God’s hands,” she said. “I speak for every girl on that stage when I say that once the alternates were beginning to be announced, prayer was the only thing running through our minds.”
As her named was called as the 2020 Mississippi Distinguished Young Woman, Williams said all she could think about was her parents, Donnell and Brian.
“ The first thing I remember thinking when I heard my name being called was actually my mom and dad,” she said. “They have always supported everything I’ve ever done, but I know for a fact that this was just as much their dream for me as it was mine. I know that I’ve made them proud and there is no better feeling than that.”
And once she was the new title holder, she was part of the ceremonial rushing by the other 32 contestants.
“I felt so much support,” she said. “This group of girls has changed my life and to know that each of us loves each other the same is so encouraging. I know that I’ll always have those 32 girls in my corner.”
Williams was finally able to see family and friends once she completed an interview or two and spoke with some of the DYW committee members.
“I have never been as excited as I was then,” she said. “Getting to share such a monumental moment with the people who love me most was so special.”
Although the national pageant won’t be until June 2020 in Mobile, Williams will begin preparing for the national competition with the help of the state committee shortly.
“But I will still have plenty of time to enjoy my senior year of high school,” she said.
At Purvis High, Williams is involved with PHS Dazzlers Dance Team, the Pride of Purvis Marching Band, First Baptist Church of Purvis Youth Praise Band, the Purvis Woman’s Club Juniorettes, First Priority, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Purvis High School Student Council and Renaissance Team.
She plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a career as an aerospace engineer.
As the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi, Williams will travel the state promoting the Be Your Best Self program and encouraging and inspiring young women to work towards excellence.”
