One Nation, Under God

Whitewater's Simonson, Howard named "Most Distinguished Women"

"I handle peer pressure by sticking to my morals, values and staying strong in prayer," Kourtney Simonson said, when was she asked her Self-Expression question, at the 2015 Distinguished Young Women of Phillips County Scholarship Program, last Saturday.

Simonson and Kaycee Howard, both junior students at Whitewater High School, were both crowned "Most Distinguished Young Women of Phillips County," at the 53rd annual event. The event was held at Malta High School, where there were hundreds in attendance.

Both contestants will continue onto the Montana Distinguished Young Women competition in Butte on the ninth of August as well as $300 a piece in scholarships for their efforts.

The winner from that competition will proceed to Nationals, which will be held next year, during their senior year.

"It's overwhelming," Howard told the PCN. "I'm glad Kourtney and I won because were both from Whitewater, but it was an amazing experience. We had fun practicing and getting to know each other." "It's a great feeling," she continued.

"It's feels really good, I'm excited, Simonson told the PCN after the event.

The only Phillips County "Junior Miss / Distinguished Young Woman" to make it to finals was Chelsea Watts, who won state in 2003. She can now be seen on various television shows and is an aspiring actress.

Watts amazed even at Nationals, when she won the National Talent Award at the competition.

It is only the second time that Phillips County will take two young women to state. The only other time this occurred was in 2007, when Jesica Henderson and Kellie Kolczak were crowned.

"This year because we had such a tremendous group of girls, the State director agreed that we should take two girls to state," said Local Chairperson Aimee Salveson, who was crowned Phillips County Junior Miss in 1997.

Salveson has been the chairperson for the event since 2006.

"Phillips County has had the longest, continuously running program in the state of Montana," she continued.

Both Simonson and Howard were chosen after placing highest in a grading scale that included five different categories in the competition.

The categories were Interview (25 percent of final score), Talent (25%), Scholastic (20%), Fitness (15%) and Self-Expression (15%). Each category gave competitors a chance to win additional scholarships. In each category, two winners were selected.

The event themed, "Be Your Best Self," was Phillips County's 53rd Annual competition.

Though seven participated including Malta's Josie LaFond, Thalia Medina, Emmy Doucette and Amanda Mummey and Whitewater's Kayla Howard, Simonson and Ke. Howard stood out slightly about the rest.

Howard charmed the crowd when she recited a poem entitled "Cowboy Banker," written by her grandfather Jess Howard during the talent portion of the competition. Her execution of the poem was charming, unique and witty, but did not yield an additional scholarship from the judges. It was a still a highlight.

Howard did win a $100 scholarship for her scores in the interview category. Sister Kayla also scored enough to claim a $100 prize in the category, she was eventually crowned first runner up, incase Kayla or Kourtney could not represent Phillips County at state.

When Kaycee was asked earlier in the competition "What animal would she be and why?" during her self-expression interview, he responded, "I would be a swan because they are beautiful, elegant animals and they have one life partner their entire life."

Kaycee's answer was significant because it is symbolic of how she feels about love and grace. She earned an additional $100 prize for her efforts.

Simonson also shined, during the competition showcasing moral values that once made this country strong. Her answer to the aforementioned peer pressure question earned her an additional $100 scholarship.

She was strong in other ways as well. More specifically the fitness portion, which she won one of two fitness scholarships, which were $100 cash. Even though Simonson was last in a long choreographed fitness routine that each individual had to perform, she showed the best form, specifically in the pushup segment, in which she was clearly the lowest, lower than most men can even go.

When asked about her extreme push-up form, Simonson told the PCN that Cross-fit coach Charlene Wasson trained her.

Simonson also shined as one of two talent scholarship winners after singing a musical number from Les Miserables entitled "On My Own." Emmy Doucette won the other scholarship by showcasing her piano skills.

Doucette also won the Scholastic Achievement category's lone $100 scholarship.

Other competitors gave it their all and the event could have gone to any one of these beautiful students. They showed heart, determination, poise, grace and reminded all that attended that even in today's world, Phillips County has class.

The second runner up Josie LaFond showed off extreme elegance at the competition, and though she wasn't heavy into athletics this year, she performed well enough to win a $100 scholarship for highest score in the fitness category.

One competitor, Thalia Medina announced to the world that she has big plans and will do great things in her future during her self-expression question.

"Once I graduate medical school and am surrounded by my family, who loves me forever and always," she said after being asked how she defines success.

She plans to specialize in the field of radiology or obstetrics and gynecology.

Kayla Howard won the Spirit of the Distinguished Young Women Program $100 scholarship, the only scholarship that was given based on an anonymous vote from each of the competitors.

Amanda Mummey showed off her creativity and acting skills, as she performed "Gone Fishing" an act in which she was dressed as a mime, who went on a fishing trip.

From the comical and relative skills of Emcee Drew Nagy, the beauty of 2014 winner / 2015 hostess Tessa Lulloff and dancing skills of the Future Little Misses, loads of talent was shown throughout the show.

"I think it's just such a unique program and all of the girls stepped out of their comfort zones and took part in it, will definitely be better for it and will have a head start on their futures in comparison to ones that don't participate," said Salveson.

 

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