The Distinguished Young Women of Turlock Scholarship program, formerly known as Turlock Junior Miss, will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 6pm in the Turlock Community Theatre.
Last year America’s Junior Miss was renamed Distinguished Young Women. This change was intended in part to help differentiate the program from pageants.
The competition for scholarships begins here, at the local level, in towns and cities like Turlock. Contestants from the Turlock area come to appear before five judges. Winners advance to state competition, at Distinguished Young Women of California, to be held in Bakersfield. The California state winner then competes in the national competition, America’s Junior Miss, in Mobile, Alabama.
Junior Misses from all 50 states will travel to Mobile, Alabama, for the 54th Annual America’s Junior Miss National Finals, June 28-30, 2012. They will spend two weeks getting to know other outstanding girls from across the country, tour the area, and compete in the National Finals. All State Junior Misses will compete for more than $140,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.
The Distinguished Young Women of Turlock Class of 2013 includes 28 high school juniors competing for scholarships and the titles of Distinguished Young Woman of South Turlock (currently held by Madison Patino) and Distinguished Young Woman of North Turlock (currently held by Ashley Gomez).
The contestants are:
Ashley Yonan, Andrea Perez, Macy Lotspeich, Mallory Patino, Mackenzie Spycher, Celina Peralta, Ashlyn Inman, Estrella Isiordia, Lexi Silva, Claire Silva, Mallory Whisenhunt, Chloe Fernandes, Madison Beard, Jenna Anderson, Amanda Chartrand, Kylie Harvey, Natalia Lima, Stefanie Velasquez, McKenna Hooker, Marcelle Winkler, Jessica Macedo, Zara Lopez, Taylor Ann Tilby, Hannah Fontes, Dakota Rae Howell, Mallori Powell, Nicole Larson, and Vanessa Acosta.
Contestants must compete in all of these categories and will be judged on: Interview (25% of total decision), Talent (25%), Scholastics (20%), Fitness (15%) and Self-Expression (15%).
Backstage Academy of Dance will be providing entertainment during the production as Dr. Curt Andre fulfills the duties of Master of Ceremonies.
Tickets to the scholarship program are $12 and all seating is on a first come basis. Tickets may be purchased at Backstage Academy of Dance (2060 East Canal Drive, (209) 667-8511) and will be available at the door. The Turlock Community Theatre is located at 1574 East Canal Drive in Turlock.
Contestants (Photos by Jon Michael Terry- www.jmtphoto.com):
mackenzie is the prettiest and the most deserving of the award. i hope she won all $140,000