Early Friday morning, the five hopefuls for the title of 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Pike County were at the Troy Public Library selecting books to read to children at daycare centers.

The read-ins brought to a close a whirlwind week of activities leading up to today’s program at 2 p.m. at the Claudia Crosby Theater at Troy University. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door.

Competing for the prestigious title are Amelia Steele, Lindsey Fox and Addyson Bryan from Charles Henderson High School; Nikki Hughes from Goshen High School; and Madison Brown from Pike Liberal Arts School.

Candice Shaughnessy, local DYW program coordinator, said the young women were involved in a variety of activities beginning with reception and tea on Sunday.

“On Monday, the girls participated in mock interviews at the Johnson Center for the Arts,” Shaughnessy said. “The interviews were in preparation the program interviews. Troy Mayor Jason Reeves and Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen conducted the interviews and shared words of wisdom and life-lesson stories with the girls.”

Morgan Brown spoke about the DYW program at the Troy Rotary Club on Tuesday. Thursday, a fundraiser for the DYW of Pike County Scholarship fund was held at Milky Moo’s  On Friday, the DYW participants read books to children at Heaven Sent and the Christian Love Center.

“Each of these young women has a talent that they will perform at the DWY program,” Shaughnessy said. “

Madison’s talent will be clogging while Lindsey, who is an archer, will shoot a bow and arrow.

Addyson will do a fun and silly dance and Amelia will sing one of her favorite songs. Nikki, who flies airplanes, will do a monologue about aviator Amelia Earhart.

Each of the DYW had a special reason for wanting to be the DYW of Pike County.

Nikki said she wants to be a role model and let other girls know they can be whatever they want to be.”

For Addyson, representing her county for a year would be fun but also humbling.

Amelia said her goal would be to set a good example by being the best she could be.

For Morgan, being Pike County’s DYW would be an opportunity to meet friends and get to know the community better.

Lindsey said opportunity would be a real learning experience and help prepare her for college.

“Pike County has five outstanding young women vying for the title of DYW of Pike County,” Shaughnessy said. “They would all represent Pike County well. I’m just proud that I’m not a judge. It would be a hard decision. I congratulate them all.”