Allen County-Scottsville High School senior Claire Robison was chosen as the 2024 Allen County Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) following the scholarship program Saturday night at the high school auditorium. Classmates Allison Davis was selected as the first alternate with Jadyn Williams chosen as the second alternate. Seniors Claira Berry, Malliea Copas, Carston Payne, Shaelee Welch, and Sarah Beth Wright also participated in the 53rd program for Allen County.
The DYW program selects a county winner based on a combined score. The candidates in the program are evaluated in five categories. The scholastic category is based on a participant’s academic achievements with their score accounting for 25 percent of the overall score. The interview category also counts 25 percent of the total score. Each candidate will meet with the judging panel for a face-to-face interview prior to the program. The talent portion involves each participant displaying their unique talent on stage with their score counting 20 percent. Fitness and Self-Expression scores each represent 15 percent of the overall total score.
The overall winner as well as preliminary winners and runner-ups in the categories of interview, scholastics, talent, fitness, and self-expression earn cash or college scholarships. The scholarship opportunities are made possible through donations from local businesses and individuals along with colleges.
As the 2024 Allen County DYW, Robison has the choice of a $3,000 per year scholarship from Campbellsville University or Kentucky Wesleyan, a $3,500 scholarship per year from Lindsey Wilson College, or a $4,000 scholarship from Galen College of Nursing. She also receives a $1,000 cash scholarship from the Allen County DYW scholarship fund.
Davis---as first alternate---will have her choice of a $2,500 scholarship per year from Campbellsville or Kentucky Wesleyan or a $3,000 scholarship from Galen College of Nursing. Davis also earned a $700 cash scholarship. Second alternate Williams receives a $2,000 per year scholarship from Campbellsville or Kentucky Wesleyan. Williams also received a $500 cash scholarship. All participants received a $1,000 scholarship per year from Lindsey Wilson.
Category winners and runner-ups were Davis in Self-Expression with Robison named first runner up. In fitness, Robison was the winner with Williams selected as first runner-up. In the talent competition, Robison was the first runner-up up with Williams taking first place. In the Interview category, the Todd Gibbs Interview Award was presented to Robison. Winners and runner-ups also received cash scholarships from the DYW scholarship fund.
For the Scholastic category, Allison Davis was the winner. Davis will receive her choice of a $3,000 per year scholarship from Campbellsville or a $3,500 scholarship per year from Lindsey Wilson or a
$3,000 per year scholarship from Galen School of Nursing. Davis received a $500 cash scholarship as well.
Three additional awards were presented. Malliea Copas received the Community Service Award. Shaelee Welch received the Be Your Best Self Award and the Elmer Bashore Sprit of Junior Miss Awards. Each award also included a small cash scholarship.
The 2024 Allen County DYW program was the 53rd event since the local program---then known as Junior Miss ---debuted in Allen County in 1970.
Robison---the daughter of Danielle and Chris Robison---will represent Allen County at the Kentucky DYW program next January in Lexington.