DYW July 25 at the Ritz
KATHY PICKENS
The Greenville Standard
At 3 pm on Saturday, July 25, the historic Ritz Theater will once again welcome accomplished young ladies from both Butler and Lowndes counties as they vie for the title of 2027 Distinguished Young Women (DYW).
The DYW program is a national scholarship initiative for girls headed into their senior year of high school. The program encourages these young women to be healthy, be involved, be studious, be ambitious, and be responsible.
Hanna Barganier Thrower was the 2011 Lowndes County DYW winner and continues to give back by serving as the chairperson for the program. “The Distinguished Young Women program is about so much more than a competition,” says Thrower. “It provides young women with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, earn scholarships, and form lifelong friendships while celebrating their talents, character, and achievements. We are proud to invest in the future of these outstanding young women and our communities.”
The categories of interview, scholastic achievement, and essay will be scored in advance of the on-stage portion of the program. Saturday’s audience will be able to view the self-expression, fitness, and talent categories.
Below is a list of the participants and a bit of information about each, including her high school, talent, and career goal, plus a look at just three of the many activities, achievements, or community service areas that she enjoys.
Jamariya Pryor (Butler County); Georgiana High School; Talent: Creative presentation; Career goal: Neonatal nurse; Involvement: Basketball, cheer, and JROTC.
Leighton Callis (Butler County); Lowndes Academy; Talent: Vocal performance; Career goal: Social work; Involvement: Cheer, beta club, church youth group.
Gracie Branum (Butler County); McKenzie High School; Talent: Ballet; Career goal: Pediatric nurse
Involvement: Future Farmers of America, softball, Mu Alpha Theta.
Mattie Cook (Butler County); Fort Dale Academy; Talent: Lyrical dance; Career goal: Lawyer; Involvement: Girls State, golf team, Key Club.
Finley Pouncey (Butler County); Highland Home School; Career goal: Anesthesiologist; Involvement: Cheer, yearbook staff, church and community service.
Karla Likely (Butler County); Georgiana High School, Talent: Praise dance; Career goal: OB/GYN in military; Involvement: Basketball, Greenville Camellia Society, JROTC.
Aly Brooks (Butler County), McKenzie High School; Talent: Vocal performance; Career goal: ER nurse; Involvement: Volleyball, Beta Club, track.
Emilee Myrick (Lowndes County), Fort Dale Academy, Talent: Violin; Career goal: Design; Involvement: Camellia Girl, National Honor Society, soccer.
Emily Taylor (Lowndes County); Lowndes Academy; Talent: Piano; Career goal: Recreational therapist; Involvement: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Calico Fort volunteer, drama club.
Several local juniors are also involved in DYW by serving as Little Sisters. This opportunity lets young ladies get a backstage look at the program that they will be eligible to participate in next year. These eleven young women are Faith Baker, Julia Ballew, Shelby Bennett, Elly Daniel, Abi Grant, Ann Kathryn Harrell, Sarah Allen Meadows, Rakiya Peterson, Alli Pierce, Mary Virginia Reynolds, and Halle Stephenson.
