The Distinguished Young Women of St. Clair County Scholarship Program will be held June 16, in the auditorium at Springville Middle School.

This year’s participants in the scholarship program include Anna Brasher, Kelsey Smith, Katie Clowdus, Jennifer Peoples, Lacey Gossett, Kayla Pilkington, Abby Leisure, Kaylyn Pate, Hannah Logan and Kelsey Lovell.

Two of the young women, Katie Clowdus and Jennifer Peoples, are being featured today.

Katie Clowdus

Clowdus is a junior at Moody High School. She has always attended the Moody schools.

She is the 16-year-old daughter of Carla Simpson of Moody, and Rodney Clowdus of Odenville.

She found out about DYW when one of her brother’s friends, Mary Beth Harrison, won the 2009 St. Clair County Jr. Miss.

“I saw all the doors open for her and the experience she received,” Clowdus said. “I wanted to experience that myself.”

For her talent, Clowdus will be clogging to the song Magic by B.O.B.

“I have been dancing since I was 3 years old,” she said. “I just have a passion for dancing. I love it and clogging is very peppy and upbeat.”

Jennifer Peoples

Peoples is a junior at St. Clair County High School in Odenville. She is the 17-year-old daughter Johnny and Donna Peoples of Odenville. She has always attended the Odenville schools.

“I participated in this program as a Little Sister two years ago,” Peoples said. “I witnessed the other participants benefiting greatly. They gained poise, confidence and skills they will take with them the rest of their lives.”

For her talent, Peoples will do a flute performance. She will be playing Explosive by Tonci Huljic.

“While playing the flute for six years, I have realized the impact music has had on my life,” Peoples said. “Music is my passion.”

Distinguished Young Women, formerly America’s Jr. Miss Scholarship Program, is sponsored by the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Eastern Shore Toyota, Encore Rehabilitation, SPANX, Mobile Gas-A Sempra Company, Regions Bank, Alabama Power Foundation, and Master Boat Builders. The 55th National Finals will take place in Mobile, Alabama on June 28-30, 2012. For more information about Distinguished Young Women, visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.

Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.