Kaylyn Pate
Abby Leisure
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, Kaylyn Pate and Abby Leisure, are featured today.
Kaylyn Pate
Pate, 17, recently completed her junior year at Crossroads Christian School in Moody. She is the daughter of Troy and Pamela Pate of Moody.
She became interested in DYW after a lot of her friends participated in years past.
“Last year, I was a Little Sister to Hannah Bell,” Pate said. “I think it is a great program and great opportunity. It teaches leadership and builds character. It pushes us to strive for excellence. It also is a great way to earn scholarships.”
For her talent, Pate will sing “Like My Mother Does” by Lauren Aliana.
“For as long as I can remember, I have loved to sing,” Pate said. “I chose this song because it really means a lot to me.
“My mom and I are really close. This song embodies what a mother/daughter relationship should be like.”
Abby Leisure
Leisure, 16, recently completed her junior year at Springville High School. She is the daughter of Polly Leisure of Springville and Timothy Leisure of Arkansas.
She found out about DYW from the reigning St. Clair DYW Anna Marie Ronderos, and Ellen Earl and Gabrielle Minor, both whom participated in last year’s program.
“To me, a DYW participant is someone who is a well-rounded person, and who is looked up to by younger students,” Leisure said.
For her talent, Leisure has choreographed a jump rope routine to several songs that have been put together.
“It’s different,” she said. “I went to a national jump rope competition in Orlando, Fla., when I was in the fourth grade in Texas.”
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.
