Emmie Perkins felt a flood of feelings Saturday night as she stood on the Evangel Temple stage in Meridian, knowing that she was one of the last two contestants in the state Distinguished Young Woman program.
“At first, I was feeling a lot of emotions at one time,” said the 17-year-old Oak Grove senior representing Lamar County. “I knew that I had worked hard and left it all on the stage. It was such a great experience.”
Unfortunately, the judges named Lori Feng of Starkville as the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi 2019. Perkins became the first alternate and took home a $2,500 cash scholarship from the Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi Scholarship Foundation and $200 from Meridian Coca-Cola. Sarah Pasha of West Lauderdale County was second alternate, and Anna Duong of Madison County was third alternate.
Perkins also received a special award during the competition. She was awarded the John Houston Phillips Overall Self-Expression Award of $1,000 over the 28 other participants.
“The Self-Expression Award is a public speaking award,” Perkins said. “It goes to someone who can answer a question on their feet. It was very scary. You have to come up with an opinion off the top of your head.”
Preliminary competition was held Thursday and Friday, with the final Top 10 contest on Saturday. The participants competed in talent, physical fitness and self-expression before going through an interview.
Perkins, who is the daughter of Lori and David Perkins, sang “Rise Up” by Andra Day for her part in the talent contest. Perkins claimed the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Lamar County back in January, winning out over seven other Oak Grove High School juniors to earn a spot in the statewide competition.
Perkins said the best thing she learned during the DYW competition was improving her interview skills.
“I also made friends for life from the experience,” she said.
Perkins, who plans to double major in vocal performance and pre-med sciences at either Alabama or Mississippi State, is a member of the Hattiesburg Junior Auxiliary Crown Club and has won numerous awards in acting and vocal performance. She is active in Oak Grove’s drama program, National Honor Society, Junior Civitan Club and Spanish Club.
