Thirteen contestants competed for the title of the Distinguished Young Woman of Pearl River County in the categories of scholastics, interview, self-expression, talent and fitness. 

The winners were:

Spirit Award: Taletha Odom

Be Your Best Self Essay Award: Taletha Odom

Scholastic Award: Kelly Hill

Interview Award: Jessica Smith

Self-expression: Jessica Smith

Talent Award: Jessica Smith

Fitness Award: Anna Kae Frierson

2nd Alternate: Kelly Hill

1st Alternate: Anna Kae Frierson

2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Pearl River County: Jessica Smith

The winners will receive scholarship dollars to be used at the college of their choice.  All thirteen young women represented their county and their community well during the three months of preparation leading up the program.

The 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Pearl River County, Kaelyn Wolfe, performed her state talent routine, sang as special entertainment and presented a heartfelt farewell to the audience.  Kaelyn represented the program well in Meridian during the state program winning a Self-expression Award and being chosen as a top-ten finalist.

This year’s winner, Jessica Smith, will be competing in the state program this summer in Meridian.  She wowed the judges with a beautiful rendition of Memories from the Broadway musical Cats, during Saturday’s performance.  Over the next few months, she will be preparing for the state program and visiting local schools presenting the “Be your best self platform of the Distinguished Young Women program.

Director of the Pearl River County program, Lindsey Miller Lewis, said,  “We were so blessed to have 13 wonderful young women to work with this year. The committee is so proud of their accomplishments and we look forward to working with Jessica as she prepares for the state program this summer.”