Young women compete Saturday
The Neshoba County Distinguished Young Woman Program is Saturday with the theme “Overcomer” since the pandemic upended last year’s competition.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Neshoba Central Elementary School auditorium.
“We are so thankful that we were able to carry through last year and have a program, even though it was a virtual program,” said DYW committee member Shannon Posey.
“The Class of 2021 participants were troopers and handled themselves very well last year rolling with all the punches the shutdown caused us all to endure. We felt like this year’s theme would be our coming out of the dark anthem.”
No tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets will be pre-sold due to COVID-19 protocol and guidelines set by the CDC and the Neshoba County School District.
If you would like to purchase a ticket, you may buy one from a participant or a committee member.
Tickets are $10 for general admission. Program Books will be available for purchase for $5 at the door.
Temperatures will also be checked at the door for all guests. Masks/facial coverings are required for all guests.
Available ticket information will be updated once participants have purchased tickets for family and close friends on Thursday evening.
Contact Shannon Posey 601-416-7664, Christy Barrett 601-416-0310, or Jennifer Prince 601-416-5891 to inquire about tickets after Thursday evening.
Following are the contestants:
• Sydney Sisson attends Leake Academy and her parents are Jim and Maria Sisson. Her talent will be a dance routine “Hot Stuff.”
• Maggie Lee Griffis attends Neshoba Central and her parents are Wright and Leslie Griffis. Her talent will be a vocal performance “I Have Nothing.”
• Paris Hantzis attends Philadelphia and her father is Patrick Hantzis. Her talent is a dance routine “Roses.”
• Mary Margaret Hall attends Neshoba Central. Her grandmother is Betty Hall and her mother is Marie Gheyri. Her talent is a vocal performance “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.”
• Molly Cliburn attends Union High School and her parents are Gene and Sherri Cliburn. Her talent is a lyrical dance “She Used to Be Mine.
• Carlyn Vaughn attends Leake Academy and her parents are Kevin and Martie Vaughn. Her talent is a piano performance “Ballade.”
• Mallory Chunn attends Neshoba Central and her parents are Latisha Davis and Billy Chunn. Her talent is an acro-dance routine “Head Above Water.”
• Laurel Brantley attends Neshoba Central and her parents are Ron and Dana Brantley. Her talent is a vocal performance “Vaga Luna, Che inargenti.”
• Faith Shumaker attends Neshoba Central and her parents are Reggie and Tammy Shumaker. Her talent is a lyrical dance “Hold on to Me.”
• Emily Duran attends Neshoba Central and her parents are Chris and Ashley Duran. Her talent is a vocal performance “Stronger.”
• Hailey Donald attends Philadelphia High School and her parents are Keaton and Kizzy Donald. Her talent is a gymnastics routine “I Feel For You.”
• Sierra Holley attends Neshoba Central and her mother is Alexis Rey Holley-Sullivan. Her talent is a color guard routine “Can You Hold Me.”
The reigning 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of Neshoba County is Mary Kate Moran who attends Neshoba Central. Her parents are Bret and Emily Moran.
In addition to the 12 participants, the DYW program also has 12 “Little Sisters” who will assist participants backstage and also provide a segment of special entertainment during the program.
They are Addy Lea Page, Skyler Manues, Allie Horn, Montana Tucker, Julia Espinoza, Anna Elize Breazeale, Grace Maxey, Ashton Luke, Maggie Stovall, Lauren Gwen Posey, Chloe Pierce and Trinity McLain.