Sunday, August 8, 2010

Washington's 2010-11 Representative in Distinguished Young Women program named (Aug. 8, 2010 news release)

Top three scholarship winners (l-r): Holland “Holly” Spencer (Ellensburg) , first runner-up; Rianne Jones (Moses Lake), winner; and Amanda Scott (Leavenworth) second runner.

PULLMAN, Wash.— Rianne Jones, Moses Lakes's Junior Miss, is now Washington's first representative to the newly renamed Distinguished Young Women program.

The daughter of Cathryn and Brent Jones was selected Saturday (Aug. 7) during the annual program held this year at Washington State University's Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.

Twenty high school seniors-to-be from across Washington performed to a theater of families and friends during the program's competition. More than $8,000 in college scholarships and awards were shared among the teens.

The Moses Lake High School senior received a $3,000 cash scholarship with her title. In addition, she won a $200 scholarship in the talent judging category. Jones will go on to compete in the annual program in Mobile, Ala., next summer.

The first runner-up, Holland Spencer, Ellensburg's Junior Miss, received a $1,250 scholarship. She also won $200 scholarships in the talent and judges interview categories. Her parents are Mia and Andrew Spencer.

Leavenworth's Junior Miss, Amanda Scott, was the second runner-up. She received a $1,000 scholarship, as well as a $200 award in the self expression judging category. Her parents are Zelda and Michael Scott.

Receiving the overall $500 scholastic award was Julia Harris, Enumclaw's Junior Miss. Preliminary scholastic awards of $200 went to Corinne McClure, Arlington’s Junior Miss, and Emily Carlson, Pullman’s Junior Miss.

The $250 spirit award, voted by the participants, went to Melanie Clarke, Asotin's Junior Miss. Victoria Solis, Royal City’s Junior Miss, won a $200 interview award.

Winning $200 scholarships in the fitness category were Connell/North Franklin’s Junior Miss, Laryn Wells, and Mikayla Nygreen, Colton/Uniontown’s Junior Miss. Nygreen also earned a $200 scholarship in the self expression judging category.

Those participating in the 2010 program include Corinne McClure, Arlington; Melanie Clarke, Asotin; Becca Allpress, Buckley; Kayla Kofmehl, Chewelah; Brandilyn Beutler, Clarkston; Emily Ledbetter, Colfax; Mikayla Nygreen, Colton/Uniontown; Laryn Wells, Connell/North Franklin; Samantha Sawyer, Davenport; Ava Izdepski, Edmonds; Holly Spencer, Ellensburg; Julia Harris, Enumclaw; Amanda Scott, Leavenworth; Gladys Martinez, Mattawa; Rianne Jones, Moses Lake; Emily Carlson, Pullman; Bailey Wiedmer, Reardan-Edwall; Chaunte White, Ritzville; Victoria Solis, Royal City; and Christa Gentili, Spokane Valley.

Judges for the August program were Lynn Bruce, Lacrosse; Lenne Jo Best, America’s Junior Miss 1976; Debbie Fucile, Spokane; David Weber, Spokane; and Julie Stonecipher-Yokeo, College Place.

The program is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school senior girls. The nonprofit program's goal is to honor young women who excel and encourage them to obtain a college education and assume roles of leadership in their communities and professions. Since 1958, the program has helped more than 700,000 young women obtain education and scholarship opportunities.

The program has awarded nearly $90 million in cash scholarships to Junior Miss participants in programs across the nation over the last five decades. In addition, some 200 colleges and universities offer scholarships to participants, including Washington State University.

Mattie Bergeson of Moses Lake represented Washington during the 2010 competition.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

#20--Melanie Clarke, Asotin


#19--Corinne McClure, Arlington


#18--Kayla Kofmehl, Chewelah


#17--Ava Izdepski, Edmonds


#16--Rianne Jones, Moses Lake


#15--Holly Spencer, Ellensburg


#14--Chaunte White, Ritzville


#13--Emily Ledbetter, Colfax


#12--Samantha Sawyer, Davenport


#11--Christa Gentili, Spokane Valley.


#10--Brandilyn Beutler, Clarkston


#9--Laryn Wells, Connell/North Franklin


#8--Bailey Wiedmer, Reardan-Edwall




#7--Victoria Solis, Royal City


#6--Mikayla Nygreen, Colton/Uniontown


#5--Julia Harris, Enumclaw


#4--Becca Allpress, Buckley


#3--Gladys Martinez, Mattawa


#2--Emily Carlson, Pullman


#1--Amanda Scott, Leavenworth


Photo: Washington Junior Miss Class of 2011-group

Group photo

Aug. 2, 2010 news release: JUNIOR MISSES DUE IN PULLMAN TUESDAY

PULLMAN, Wash.—Twenty school seniors across the state arrive in Pullman on Tuesday, Aug. 4, to vie for scholarships in Washington’s Distinguished Young Women’s program for 2010-11.

The event, formerly called Junior Miss, to select the state’s representative to a national program next summer is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Washington State University’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.

Washington’s new titleholder, first runner-up and second runner-up will receive college scholarships.

A Spirit of Junior Miss Scholarship, two preliminary scholastic scholarships and an overall award for scholastic achievement also will be awarded. In addition, two preliminary awards will be announced in four other judging categories: judges’ interview, talent, fitness and self-expression.

Judges for the August program will be Lynn Bruce, Lacrosse; Lenne Jo Best, America’s Junior Miss 1976; Debbie Fucile, Spokane; David Weber, Spokane; and Julie Yokeo, College Place.

Those participating in the 2010 program include Corinne McClure, Arlington; Melanie Clarke, Asotin; Becca Allpress, Buckley; Kayla Kofmehl, Chewelah; Brandilyn Beutler, Clarkston; Emily Ledbetter, Colfax; Mikayla Nygreen, Colton/Uniontown; Laryn Wells, Connell/North Franklin; Samantha Sawyer, Davenport; Ava Izdepski, Edmonds; Holly Spencer, Ellensburg; Julia Harris, Enumclaw; Amanda Scott, Leavenworth; Gladys Martinez, Mattawa; Rianne Jones, Moses Lake; Emily Carlson, Pullman; Bailey Wiedmer, Reardan-Edwall; Chaunte White, Ritzville; Victoria Solis, Royal City; and Christa Gentili, Spokane Valley.

During the week, the teens will stay with Pullman families: Tom and Linda Tippett, Ashley and Clint Herridge, Mike and Michelle Kinkade, Dawn and Steve Watts, Ed and Laura Tingstad, Kevin and Janet Poitra, Kellie Murphy, Judd and Laura Preece, Lori White, Sherree and Todd Komp, and Ana Maria and Cotton Sears.

Co-chairs of the 2010 program are Danielle Kallaher of Pullman and Margo Balzarini, of Colfax. Board president of the state program is Mitch Chandler of Pullman. Board of director officers include Mitch Chandler, president; Diane Marsh, secretary; and Patty Greenberg, treasurer, all of Pullman. Board members are Tricia Benton, Mary Jo Chandler, Michelle Kinkade, Edie Talbot and Carissa Little, all of Pullman; and Cayme Sunwold of Lacrosse.

Mattie Bergeson of Moses Lake is the current Washington’s Junior Miss for 2009-10. She was selected a year ago during the annual state competition, and recently competed in the 2010 national program. The Washington representative returned with $5,000 in scholarships. Carlson was named in the Top Ten and won $1,000 scholarships in both Talent and Fitness judging categories during the June competition in Mobile, Ala.

Tanae Bergerson of Moses Lake is mistress of ceremonies. Shirley Sears of Pullman is choreographer.

Also helping with the state program are Patricia Pate, Chris Vanharn, Tim Marsh, Rick Wayenberg and Sue Hinz all of Pullman; Sally Elder of Garfield; Monica Druffel of Colton; Teresa Hudak of Spokane; and Monica, Jake, Jeremy and Jilian Headley of Mead.

Scholastic judges are Julie Pomerenk, WSU registrar; Lynda Carey, Office of the WSU Graduate School, retired; and Fran Hermanson, WSU Student Affairs Research.

Advance tickets are available through TicketsWest, 1-800-325-SEAT, or at TicketsWest.com. Tickets also will be available at the door. All tickets for the program are $20.

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Some details about the newly rebranded program and general history of the Junior Miss program are available at www.ajm.org.

July 29, 2010 news release: WASHINGTON’S JUNIOR MISS BEGINS 2010 PROGRAM WITH NEW NAME

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington’s Junior Miss Mattie Bergeson’s final assignment as a Junior Miss will be to announce on Aug. 7 the first state representative to the Distinguished Young Women program.

Twenty high school students will participate in the newly rebranded scholarship program set for Washington State University’s Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum.

Danielle Kallaher, program director, said judging categories remain the same: each participant performs a talent number and participates 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.

The participants will stay with Pullman families several days while rehearsing for the on-stage program set for 7 p.m. at the coliseum.

Tickets are $20 and are available through TicketsWest outlets and at the door the evening of the program.

This is the 53nd year of the 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.

Those participating in the 2010 program include Corinne McClure, Arlington; Melanie Clarke, Asotin; Becca Allpress, Buckley; Kayla Kofmehl, Chewelah; Brandilyn Beutler, Clarkston; Emily Ledbetter, Colfax; Mikayla Nygreen, Colton/Uniontown; Laryn Wells, Connell/North Franklin; Samantha Sawyer, Davenport; Ava Izdepski, Edmonds; Holly Spencer, Ellensburg; Julia Harris, Enumclaw; Amanda Scott, Leavenworth; Gladys Martinez, Mattawa; Rianne Jones, Moses Lake; Emily Carlson, Pullman; Bailey Wiedmer, Reardan-Edwall; Chaunte White, Ritzville; Victoria Solis, Royal City; and Christa Gentili, Spokane Valley.