(by Don Meador, Public Relations Coordinator, Allen County Schools)
Allen County-Scottsville High School senior Morgan Thomason was chosen as the 2017 Allen County Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) Saturday night in the local edition of the national scholarship program.
The title for Thomason brings multiple scholarship opportunities for the AC-SH senior. She receives her choice of a $3,000 per year scholarship from Kentucky Wesleyan College, a $3,000 per year scholarship from Campbellsville University, or a $4,000 per year scholarship from the Galen College of Nursing in Louisville. She also receives a $900 cash scholarship from the Friends of DYW scholarship fund.
Thomason was also the Scholastic Award Winner in the program. As scholastic winner, Thomason has her choice of a $3,000 per year scholarship from Campbellsville University, a $3,000 per year scholarship from the Galen School of Nursing, a $1,500 scholarship per year from St. Catherine’s College, or a $3,500 scholarship per year from Lindsey Wilson College. She also receives a $400 cash scholarship from the Friends of DYW scholarship fund.
In preliminary categories, Thomason was the winner in fitness, receiving a $250 cash scholarship from the DYW scholarship fund. She was also selected as runner-up in the interview preliminary to receive a $100 cash scholarship (sponsored by Wilson and Lanna Jo Stone). Thomason was also chosen at the runner-up in self-expression receiving a $100 cash scholarship.
Jessie Sue Pruitt was selected as the first alternate. Pruitt has a choice of a $2,500 per year scholarship from Kentucky Wesleyan, a $2,500 per year scholarship from Campbellsville University, or a $3,000 scholarship from the Galen School of Nursing, Pruitt also received a $600 cash scholarship from the Friends of DYW.
Pruitt also received the Todd Gibbs Memorial Interview Award (sponsored by the Allen County Homemakers) which carries with it a $500 cash scholarship. In other preliminaries, Pruitt was the overall winner in Self-Expression (a $250 cash scholarship) and received the Be Your Best Self Award.
Kayla Franklin was named second alternate to receive a $500 cash scholarship from the Friends of DYW scholarship fund. Franklin receives her choice of cash scholarships from Kentucky Wesleyan ($2000 per year) or Campbellsville University ($2000 per year). Franklin was also the runner-up in talent to receive a $100 cash scholarship.
Other preliminary winners included a first place award for Bailey Stamps in talent ($400 cash scholarship) and the runner up award in fitness for Whitney Perry ($100 cash scholarship). Stamps was also selected for the Community Service Award and received a $100 cash scholarship from the Scottsville Women’s Club. Perry was also presented with the Elmore Bashore Spirit of Junior Miss Award. Ada Beth Wolfe received a $100 cash scholarship for her selection for the Dedication Award, presented in honor of Gabbi Doolin.
Participant Shelby Taylor joined Franklin, Stamps, Pruitt, Perry, Wolfe, and Thomason in the 45th local program---a program which dates to 1970. Each participant also earned a $6,000 to $10,000 per year scholarship opportunity from Randolph College in Lynchburg Virginia or a $1,000 per year scholarship from Lindsey Wilson College.
Thomason---the 17-year daughter of Stephanie and Nathan Lutterman and Chris and Amy Thomason---will represent Allen County at the Kentucky Distinguished Young Woman Program in January in Lexington.