Three Pine Belt-area young ladies are in Meridian this week preparing for the state Distinguished Young Women of Mississippi program. The three nights of competition in The Evangel Temple Church concludes on Saturday, July 20. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday.
Miss Forrest County Julia “Lainey” James, Miss Petal Phoebe Stutts, and Miss Lamar County Rebekah Williams are among 33 Mississippi high school seniors competing for more than $28,900 in college. The state program is now in its 63rd year celebrating and spotlighting outstanding achievements of the state’s best and brightest high school girls. During the week-long program in Meridian, contestants are evaluated on scholastic achievement, fitness, self-expression, talent, and interview.
An added bonus during this year’s program is performances by the Presbyterian Christian High School choral group on Friday night.
FORREST COUNTY DYW
James said she has been working diligently since she was named Forrest County’s DYW.
“I have been eating healthy, practicing the fitness routine and my talent, and working on my self-expression and interview skills,” James said prior to leaving for Meridian.
She feels her strength in the DYW program is her talent. “I love to perform, and I am excited to showcase my self-choreographed jazz routine to James Bond’s 007 theme song,” she said.
“I’m most looking forward to meeting all the girls in Meridian and enjoying many of the activities the DYW state committee has planned for us all week.”
James said she had the privilege of meeting some of the other local winners during her local program, and since then have has had the opportunity to meet with several other contestants to practice in preparation for the state program.
She said both she and Lamar County’s representative, Becky, who she described as a very talented dancer, participated in competitive dance, while she met Phoebe, Petal’s Miss DYW during orientation. “I hear she’s an amazing singer,” James said. “The Pine belt is truly blessed with talented young ladies.
Her parents, along with her sister, Kelsey, will be in the audience cheering her on each night, as well as several other close family members, including her grandmother, Judy Hulsey from Waynesboro. And then there will be friends.
“The chorus from Presbyterian Christian School, where I attend school, will be the special entertainment at Friday night’s program, and I am friends with all of the chorus members,” she said.
James is an upcoming senior at PCS and has been actively involved in the dance team, varsity cheer team, golf and track teams as well as Beta Club and the French Honor Society. She is also serving as vice president of her senior class and is a member of the student council. She was a Team Up for St. Jude National Winner and NYCDA Outstanding Senior Dancer.
“I spend many weekends sport-fishing in Orange Beach Ala., and I am an instagram influencer for several outdoor companies (you can follow her fishing page @laineyjamesfishing),” she said.
She is a member of Temple Baptist Church and enjoys Hub City Young Life. She plans on attending The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a career as an entrepreneur.
James feels the best advice she has been given is “to be my best self, which is the DYW motto.”
MISS PETAL
Stutts said in order to prepare for the state program at the beginning of the summer she set up a gym membership with her new personal trainer, Joe.
“He has helped me to build strength and learn how to eat right so I can feel my very best,” she said. “I have also been keeping up to date with current events and different news sources. I find it very important to be aware of the world around me.”
The rising senior at Petal High School is the daughter of Tony and Amy Stutts and is looking forward to being able to meet and bond with so many well-rounded individuals. “I am thrilled and looking forward to an experience that I will remember fondly for years to come.”
Not knowing any of the other contestants, Stutts said she hopes to be friends with as many of the contestants as possible by the end of the program.
While some might not find speaking in front of a number of people all that comfortable, Stutts believes that is her strong suit.
“I find that I’m most comfortable with the interview portion of the competition,” she said. “One thing I admire in myself is that I have a talent for speaking and connecting with others, and I love answering questions and knowing that I come across as a positive energy to other people.”
During the talent portion of the program, she has chosen a vocal presentation of “Astonishing,” by Louise Dearman
She will have her own personal cheering section which will include her parents, boyfriend and “some of my biggest inspirations there to cheer me on. I couldn’t feel more supported,” she said.
At Petal High School (the best high school in the state! Whoop, whoop!), Stutts is a four-year member of the Petal Soundsations show choir group and is involved with the school’s Ambassadors Program. “I get to sing, dance, and serve the community,” she said.
She has also been involved with Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera, Future Business Leaders of America and Family Time Women's Shelter Fundraiser. She plans to attend The University of Southern Mississippi to pursue a career in environmental science.
The best advice she’s received comes from her dad.
“He has always told me to be exactly who I really am because that will always be enough,” she said. “He tells me to be two-fisted and to go and make things happen.”
MISS LAMAR COUNTY
Williams, an upcoming senior at Purvis High School, is the daughter of Brian and Donnell Williams.
Getting ready for her week of competition in Meridian has kept her busy. Williams said she’s been practicing her interview skills with her local committee, perfecting her talent piece with her dance instructor, and maintaining her physical fitness and weight training and cardio workouts.
“I’ve been obsessively watching the news and keeping up with current events,” she said.
Williams was looking forward to Sunday night’s luau. “It will be my first chance to meet and get to know all of the other Distinguished Young Women,” she said. “I am looking forward to creating new friendships with the other girls and has met both Miss Forrest County and Miss Petal.”
She believes she is particularly strong in the area of physical fitness. “I have always taken my health and fitness very seriously,” she said.
There’s nothing like a cheering section to buoy you on.
“I hope to hear lots of cheers coming from my friends and family in the audience, and I know that my friends who cannot be in attendance will be cheering me on from Lamar County,” Williams 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. She will present a dance presentation of “Fly With Me” for her talent.
“The best advice I have been given throughout my preparation has been to do my very best and have a great time,” she said.
Reserved tickets for the 2020 Distinguished Young Woman Program are available for $60 for a three-night package. General admission tickets are available for $45 for a three-night package, or may also be purchased for individual evenings: $15, Thursday; $15, Friday; and $20, Saturday. Tickets may be obtained by calling 601-480-3438. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are welcomed.
