Anna May, a senior at Pike Liberal Arts School, was named the 2018 Distinguished Young Woman of Pike County at the DYW program at the Claudia Crosby Theater on Saturday.

Anna was also the winner of the Interview and Self-Expression categories of the DYW program.

Jordan Grice, PLAS, was the winner of the “Be Your Best Self Essay” award. Sidney Armstrong, Charles Henderson High School, was the 2018 DYW of Pike County 1st Runner-up, winner of the “Spirit of DYW and Talent and Fitness. Caroline Kirk, PLAS, was the Scholastic Award winner.

For Anna, the opportunity to represent Pike County as its DYW is a incredible way to begin what she believes will be “the best year ever.”

“I entered the DYW of Pike County Program hoping to win scholarship money, but participating in the different community service activities and spending time with the other participants, I realized what a great honor it is to have opportunities to be an encouragement to other girls through the DYW program.”

Anna admitted that she has had a problem with self-image and has struggled with that.

“But DYW is not a beauty contest. It about what’s inside, about the beauty that’s inside. That’s what is really important,” she said. “As the DYW of Pike County, I want to be a positive role model for others, educationally and morally.”

Anna said she wants to uphold the DYW creed by doing the best she can, so she can be the best she can.

Anna is a friend with the other participants in the 2018 DYW of Pike County program and “they are all wonderful.”

“They are different and beautiful in their own way,” she said. “I would have been happy for whoever won DYW and would have gone and supported her at state.”

At PLAS, Anna is president of the Student Government Association, a member of the Excel Club, the Twilighters social/service club, Youth in Government and a varsity cheerleader and cheer chaplain.

After graduation, Anna plans to attend Sanford University and major in journalism.

“I love writing,” she said. “It’s a passion of mine.”

Anna will probably keep a journal of the activities, events and opportunities that await her as the 2018 DYW of Pike County. She is looking forward to her whirlwind year that includes participation in the Alabama DYW Program in Montgomery in January.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to participate at state and meet new friends,” she said. “I’m just as excited to learn more about Pike County and be involved in all the things that make our county great.”

Anna’s parents are David and Shanna May and Leigh and Grady Capps.

DYW Pike County Board Member Candy Howard-Shaughnessy said this year’s program featured a strong group of young women and they are all to be congratulated.

“They are all excellent representatives of Pike County and they represented themselves, the families and their schools extremely well,” Howard-Shaughnessy said. “Their participation will hopefully encourage other young women to participate in DYW next year. It is a very meaningful and rewarding experience and the friendships fostered will be long lasting.”