Colfax's Kari Largent named 2020 Washington State Distinguished Young Woman

Kari Largent, born and raised in Colfax, a farm girl from 17 miles south of town, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Washington Saturday, Aug. 1.

Largent, daughter of Gary and Lisa Largent, won a $3,500 cash scholarship with her title, along with a $500 overall scholarship award and $200 awards each in talent, self-expression and interview.

"State DYW was an amazing, although unconventional, experience," Largent said. "I had the opportunity to meet other young women my age and develop new friendships. Hopefully, I can meet them all in-person, someday. I also had the unique experience of being named the Distinguished Young Woman of Washington while sitting on my living room floor surrounded by those who love me."

For her talent, she played "All of Me," by Jon Schmidt, one of The Piano Guys.

She had previously watched her older sister participate, among other local girls.

"It's kind of been one of my high school dreams," Largent said.

The journey began in January, with a group of Colfax girls practicing on Saturday mornings at the school before activities were shut down because of the virus.

Later, Distinguished Young Woman of Colfax organizers put on the program in June, with limited capacity, at the Colfax Baptist Church. Largent was named the winner, qualifying her for the state competition, held every August in Pullman.

This year it would be all online.

"I took many videos and sent them in," she said.

Twelve girls competed at the state event, the Aug. 1 program shown on a YouTube channel.

At Colfax High School, the senior-to-be is a cheerleader for football and basketball, plays alto saxophone in the jazz band, will be an FFA chapter officer and is a member of National Honor Society and the school's new history club.

"I love history," Largent said. "About how they lived then and how it is different. I absolutely love the Revolutionary War period."

She was also cast as Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," this spring, which was to be the annual musical at Colfax Junior/Senior High School before it was cut off during rehearsals due to the virus.

She hopes to use her Distinguished Young Woman scholarship money at Baylor University next year, studying speech pathology.

First, Largent will join 49 other state DYW winners in Mobile, Ala., next summer for the Distinguished Young Women national finals.

"I am super blessed to represent Washington and didn't expect it at all," Largent said.

MORE RESULTS

The first runner-up for Washington, Kelsi Benton of Pullman, received a $1,500 scholarship. The Pullman High School senior also earned $200 awards in the fitness and talent judging categories. Her parents are Tricia and John Benton.

Second runner-up was Lauren Tolley of Moses Lake.

Josie Schultheis, Colton-Uniontown's Distinguished Young Woman, won $200 fitness and preliminary scholastic category awards. Her parents are Kelly and Bernie Schultheis.

The participants were evaluated by a panel of judges in the following categories: Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (20%).

Each participant prepared her performance in talent, fitness and self-expression routines via videos for the judges. The teens met individually via internet with a panel of judges earlier in the week. The scholastic achievement also was evaluated earlier.

Other participates in the 2020-2021 program include Tovah Brantner, Garfield-Palouse; Ruth Bresee, Almira-Coulee-Hartline (ACH); Molly Williams, Clarkston; Tanya Alvarado-Castro, Ellensburg; Grace Saint John, Lind-Ritzville; and Emma Anderson-Johnsen, Mattawa.