Annual DYW Program takes center stage March 18

The annual Distinguished Young Woman program is rolling into Ritzville once again, bound to take place on March 18 starting at 7 p.m. Five high school junior girls are participating in the program and competing for the title this year.

The event is being held in a new location this year, and is now at the Ritzville Grade School gymnasium.

Tickets are currently available for $10 and can be purchased from Stacey Schoessler at Northwest Farm Credit or from any contestant.

If tickets sell out for the Friday evening program, residents will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for Thursday’s dress rehearsal program at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Thursday program will be at the discounted price of $5.

This year’s contestants are Morgan Shields, Tessa Jantz, Erica Leffel, Kennea Estler-Teal and Kiley Griffin.

In addition to this year’s contestants, a large group of high school students as well as grade school students are participating in the program.

The Sophomore Sisters helping the five participants are Abby Gering, Tessa O’Brien, Sierra Kiel, Rachel Schell and Morgan Lane.

The Escorts include Patrick Bartz, Mason Brausen, Hawk Busayok, Michael Carruth, Bryce Esser, Alan Field, Dallas Killian, Brandon McClure, Easton Nelson, Damien Rouleau, Kannon Webb, Camden Smith and Pake Taylor.

A new addition to the program this year are the Little Sisters who are participating and assisting during the program. This year’s Little Sisters are Emily Balfe, Taylor Galbreath, Sydney Kinch, Rose Roettger and Raegan Snider.

The Mistresses of Ceremonies are Renae Harder and Kayli Smith. The Program Chairperson is Lisa Killian.

Morgan Shields is the daughter of Tina Shields and Michael Gering. She has two siblings, Logan and Justin.

During the DYW program, Morgan is performing a monologue titled “Samwise the Brave”. She currently attends Lind-Ritzville High School and after graduation, she hopes to pursue a career as a police officer.

Morgan has participated in FFA while in high school. Her public service activities include being a Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer in Pateros after the summer fires, working with the Lind Lions Club for upkeep of the Lind Derby grounds, and preparing and delivering hygiene kits for people in need in Moses Lake.

Her other interests include reading, writing, walking, photography and research. Her favorite song is “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris, while her favorite musician is Ed Sheeran. Morgan’s enjoys the poem “All That is Gold” by J.R.R. Tolkien, and her favorite novel is “Diary” by Chuck Palahniuk.

In her downtime, Morgan enjoys watching “Supernatural” and the Lord of the Rings movies. Her favorite play is “The Crucible” and favorite magazines are National Geographic and Seventeen.

Morgan said her favorite modern-day personalities are Misha Collins and Felicia Day, while her favorite historical personalities are Theodore Roosevelt and Margaret Thatcher.

Tessa Jantz is the daughter of Steve Jantz and Donna Koch. She has one older brother, Trevor.

At the DYW program, Tessa is performing a jazz dance to the song, “If My Friends Could See Me Now”. She currently attends Lind-Ritzville High School and plans to attend Whitworth College after graduation to become a pediatric nurse.

While in high school, Tessa has been involved in FFA, volleyball, National Honor Society, basketball, golf, dance and Bronco Pep Club.

Tessa’s achievements include awards from the American Association of University Women, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, volleyball, basketball, golf, NE 2B volleyball, NE 2B basketball and a member of the State 2B Academic Champions team for two years.

Tessa’s public service activities include the Ritzville Alumni Association, Wheat Land Communities’ Fair, Mary Katherine’s Summer Dance Program, Community Members in Ritzville and yard clean up with the FFA chapter. Her other interests include art, baking, spending time with family and friends, listening to music and being at the lake in the summer.

Erica Leffel is the daughter of Jim and Diane Leffel. She has a brother, Matthew, and a sister, Nora Stolan.

During the DYW program, Erica is performing a lyrical point dance to the song, “Skyscraper”. Erica attends Lind-Ritzville High School and plans to pursue a career where she works with children, potentially as a teacher or pediatric nurse, at Washington State University.

While in high school, Erica has been involved in volleyball, track and field, basketball, National Honor Society, FFA teams and activities, Mary Katherine’s Summer Dance Program and Karen Kinch’s Dance. Erica’s achievements include being a class officer, a National Honor Society officer, Student of the Week multiple times, and an Honor Roll student for three years.

Erica’s public service activities include fair and rodeo cleanup on Labor Day weekend, Vacation Bible School leader, kindergarten classroom assistant, mentor for 4-H market lamb and horse projects, and yard clean up for a hospitalized community member. Her other interests include riding horses, traveling, working with children, camping, boating and spending time with her family.

Kennea Estler-Teal is the daughter of Nicole Estler-Teal and John Teal. She currently attends Lind-Ritzville High School.

During the DYW program, she will perform a vocal number called “Can’t Help Falling in Love”.

Kennea’s achievements include serving as the freshmen class president and being the head decorator for the Builder’s Club.

For Kennea, her favorite song is “Someone Like You” and Adele is her favorite musician. Her favorite poem is “Phenomenal Woman” and she enjoys the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

In her free time, Kennea enjoys watching Property Brothers and the movie, I Am Legend. Her favorite play is Fiddler on the Roof.

Kennea enjoys reading People and Better Homes and Garden, and she uses CNN and Good Morning America as her primary news sources.

Kennea’s favorite modern-day personalities are her mother and Anne Hathaway, while her favorite historical personalities are Mother Teresa and Marie Curie.

Kiley Griffin is the daughter of Dennis and Dawn Griffin. She has three siblings, Wyatte, Jody and Jesse.

During the DYW program, Kiley is performing a vocal number called “Try”. She currently attends Lind-Ritzville High School and plans to attend Washington State University to become a pediatrician or teacher.

While in high school, Kiley’s activities include leadership, volleyball, basketball, art and Spanish. Her public service activities include assisting teachers with other students, as well as helping teach students with disabilities.

Kiley’s other interests include becoming a teacher because she likes to help kids learn. She is also interested in becoming a pediatrician because she likes to take care of kids and help them feel better.

Kiley’s favorite song is “Broken” by Lindsey Haun, and she enjoys the novel “The Girl in the Garden” by Kamala Nair.

In her downtime, Kiley enjoys watching The Fosters on television or Alice and Wonderland, her favorite movie.

Kiley’s favorite modern-day personalities are her mother and Colbie Caliet. Her favorite historical personality is Patsy Cline.