Emily Wise, a senior at Pike Liberal Arts School, was awarded the title of 2013 Pike County Distinguished Young Woman at the annual program Saturday at Claudia Crosby.

Wise said she was very excited to have been chosen from a group of “fantastic girls.”

“I’m looking forward to representing Pike County here at home and also at the state program in Montgomery,” Wise said. “I can hardly wait to participate in the state program. I’ve heard so much about it. Win there or not, it will be a great experience.”

Wise won the talent division of the program with her clogging rendition of “Ease on Down the Road.”

“I dressed as Dorothy and just skipped all over the place,” she said, laughing.

“There were two other cloggers, a singer, piano player and several dancers. The talent was very good, and I was happy to be able to win.”

Wise also won the fitness portion of the competition and said her experience as a cheerleader and as a cheerleading coach was good preparation for it.

Wise will have to fit her duties as Pike County’s DYW into a busy schedule.

She is vice president of the senior class, secretary of the Student Government Association, a varsity cheerleader and a junior ambassador for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

Her future plans are to attend Auburn University. Although she is not certain of her choice of careers, she is leaning toward teaching on the elementary level.

“Right now, I’m just very happy to be Pike County’s Distinguished Young Woman,” she said.

The Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

Nine young women from three of the county’s four high schools participated in the local competition.

Holly Pugh, board chair, said the DYW board was pleased with the number of contestants.

“This was the largest number of contestants that we have had in several years,” Pugh said.

“The Pike County DYW board devoted much time and energy into promoting the program. The board had a representative at each of the four county high schools in an effort to have contestants from each of the schools.”

The countdown to the Pike County DYW program began on Sunday with a get together for the contestants and their Little Sisters. The DYW dance crew practiced their dance routines throughout the week, with the program’s dress rehearsal on Friday.

“On Saturday, there was a meet and greet with the judges and each of the contestants participated in a 10-minute interview,” Pugh said.

“That night, the program began with the opening number and continued with the self-expression, talent and fitness portions of the competition and the presentation of the awards.”

The DYW medallion was placed around Wise’s neck by 2012 Pike County DYW Carla Faulkner of Goshen. Wise also received the talent award and the overall fitness award.

Olivia Hudson, a Charles Henderson High School senior, was first runner up to the 2013 Pike County DYW and was the winner of the interview portion of the competition.

Kendra Hampton, also a CHHS senior, was second runner up to the 2013 Pike County DYW.

“There is a scholastic portion of the DYW and the winner is chosen based on transcripts, ACT scores and the ‘Be Your Best Self’ essay,” Pugh said. “Olivia Hudson received the Scholastic Award. Mallory Franklin of CHHS was the winner of the essay competition and the Spirit of Junior Miss Award, which is a congeniality award that is voted on by the contestants.”

Representing their high schools and communities were Emily Wise, PLAS: Olivia Hudson, CHHS; Kendra Hampton, CHHS; Mallory Franklin, CHHS; Jamilya Coleman, Pike County High School; Jordan Bonner, PCHS; Kori Chirico, Pike Liberal Arts; Randi Childs, PLAS; and Tyliyah Hooks, PCHS.

Pugh said all of the contestants were outstanding and all represented their schools and their communities well.

The DYW program, formerly the Junior Miss Program, has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women and more than $93 million in cash scholarships has been awarded at the local, state and national levels combined.

Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.