I am usually not a pageant guy, but on Saturday, Sept. 21, I found myself in the Lenoir County Performing Arts Center at Kinston High School to watch the competition for Distinguished Young Woman of Kinston and Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County.

Our Distinguished Young Women competition dates back to 1980. The standards and ideals for evaluating participants are universal across the nation. Half of the total score comes from an evaluation of Scholastic Achievement and a 10-minute Interview session with each participant.

When the judges evaluate scholastic achievement, they read reviews by qualified educators, assess transcripts of grades, and review scores of scholastic tests. During the interview, judges look for a sense of values, clarity and expression, and ability in human relations. Scholastic Achievement and Interview each comprise 25 percent of the score.

The on-stage competition – which I attended Saturday evening – gives participants the opportunity to showcase their talent, fitness, and self-expression. Talent counts for 20 percent, and Fitness and Self-Expression each count 15 percent.

Saturday evening, six judges sat to assess the on-stage performances. All six judges are veterans of the process and eminently qualified to be judges. As the young women performed their routines, the judges observed, took notes, and rated each portion of the on-stage efforts.

Michaela Philyaw was Contestant #1. Michaela, a student at South Lenoir, plans to attend the University of Mount Olive when she graduates. She clogged for her talent. She is a member of the Sandy Bottom Fire Department, the National Technical Honor Society, HOSA, and FCCLA. She aspires to become a travel nurse with a focus on labor and delivery.

Lilli Daughety, Contestant #2, attends North Lenoir and will enroll in the ECU Honors College when she graduates. She wants to become an orthodontist. Lilli, who was sponsored by Rice Monuments, performed a tap dance routine for her talent. She has attended NC Governor’s School for Dance, has Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, is in the National Honor Society, and is the captain of the varsity cheerleaders.

Contestant #3, Samantha Moore of South Lenoir, plans to attend North Carolina State University to study to become a vet tech. Samantha was sponsored by M&W Construction. Her talent was singing. Her activities and honors include Principals Academic Recognition, 4-H, FFA, Singing, Arts, and serving as a Certified Veterinary Assistant.

National Land Realty sponsored Contestant #4, Rachel Noble, a student at South Lenoir. After she graduates, Rachel plans to attend North Carolina State to become an Agricultural Lawyer. For her talent, she recited a poem she had written as Spoken Word competition. Her activities and honors include membership in the National FFA, cross country and track athlete and captain, Tanglewood Church student leader, and Noble Christmas Tree Farm manager.

JayShaynna Kitrell, Contestant #5, is a North Lenoir student who plans to attend Winston-Salem State University, where she will study to become a Pediatric Nurse. She was sponsored by Supreme Choice Healthcare. Some of her activities and honors include Cheer, Dance, Basketball, and Health Science Honors. She performed contemporary dance as her talent.

Contestant #6, Melissa Espino, attends North Lenoir. She plans to attend North Carolina State University to prepare to become a veterinarian. She was sponsored by Jeff Howard Insurance Agency. Her activities and honors include Girl Scouts, Drama Club, Principal’s List, National Honor Society, and South East Regional President of NC FFA. Her talent was a folk-dance performance.

Kayla Britt, Contestant #7, attends North Lenoir. She plans to enroll in Meredith College to study journalism or business management. Williams Tree Service sponsored Kayla. Some of her activities and honors include Cheerleading, Drama Club, Governor’s School of English, National Honor Society, and Children’s Church teacher. She delivered a vocal performance for her talent.

Jasmine Raines, Contestant #8, attends South Lenoir. She plans to attend Wayne Community College to study Dental Hygiene. The CSS Neuse Foundation sponsored Jasmine. Some of her activities and honors include Dance, Singing, Volleyball, Basketball and volunteering, especially for the CSS Neuse Foundation. She clogged dressed as Michael Jackson for her talent.

Contestant #9, Kassidy Loftin of South Lenoir plans to attend North Carolina State University to become a Forensic Chemist. The Neuse Barbell Club sponsored Kassidy. She performed a contemporary dance as her talent. Some of her activities and honors include National Honor Society, Technical National Honor Society, DAR Good Citizen Award, and Dance.

I attended the program on behalf of the CSS Neuse Foundation, sponsor of Jasmine Raines. As I watched these young women compete on the stage, my heart swelled with pride. So many today belittle the members of Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2013. Each of these contestants showed that Gen Z-ers are focused, talented, intelligent, and poised. They are the future of this city, county and nation – and based on these young women, that future is bright.

Congratulations to Lilli for being named Kinston’s Distinguished Young Woman and to Rachel for winning the accolade of Lenoir County’s Distinguished Young Woman. They will move on to compete for the state title in Greensboro on January 24 and 25, 2025.

Thanks to all the other Distinguished Young Women who took the stage that evening. You all brought beauty, joy, hope, and pride to the audience that evening. I know each of you will achieve great things. Special thanks to the LaGrange Rotary for keeping the Young Women tradition viable today.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.