High school seniors participate at DYW scholarship program

Fifteen Washington high school seniors, including Cassie Ewing from Ritzville, will participate in the Aug. 2 Distinguished Young Women Washington scholarship program at Washington State University’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.

Among the judging panel will be Colfax native Linda Felber, America’s Junior Miss winner in 1964. Also judging the 2014-15 program will be Cara Rudd, 2004 Washington’s Junior Miss from Federal Way; Debbie Fucile, Liberty Lake, a past Regional Coordinator for Junior Miss; Steve McClure, a long-time program supporter from Moscow, Idaho; and Teresa Hudak, Spokane, a past Junior Miss state chairman.

The community representatives will arrive Tuesday, July 29, to begin practicing several stage routines that will highlight the 7 p.m. program Aug. 2 at the coliseum.

Danielle Kallaher, program co-chair, said each participant will perform a talent number and participate in fitness and self-expression routines during the evening program. The teens meet individually with a panel of judges earlier. More than $10,000 in college scholarships will be awarded at the state program.

This is the state’s 57th annual scholarship program. Its goal is to emphasize education by providing scholarship opportunities to outstanding college-bound high school girls, and to encourage personal development in all young people, Kallaher said.

The national DYW winner for 2013-14 was Nicole Renard of Kennewick.

Those participating in the 2014 program include Sophie Matthewson, Almira-Coulee/Hartline (ACH); Skylar Smith, Asotin; Alison Stevens, Chewelah; Lindsey Heflin, Clarkston; Amara Huber, Colfax; Savannah Chadwick, Colton-Uniontown; Sarah Vesneske, Davenport; Abigail Ernest-Beck, Ellensburg; Bonnie James, Leavenworth; Bianca Ramirez, Mattawa; Allison Hyer, Moses Lake; Emily Risenmay, Othello; Rose Jao, Pullman; and Morgan Small, Royal City.

The participants will stay with Pullman families several days while rehearsing for the on-stage program.

Tickets are available through TicketsWest outlets and at the door.