A packed house filled the Malad Elementary auditorium for the return of the Malad Distinguished Young Women program.  Last year’s DYW, Kristal Ford, was on hand for the handover over her title to this year’s winner, Raegan Smith.

DYW Chairman Nichole Daniels has worked tirelessly along with a large number of volunteers, sponsors, and the girls' families and hostesses to ensure that the event was a showcase for the talents and dedication of the women involved.  Her written introduction to the event program explains “Since the day I started working with them, they have shown their internal strength.  They are proactive, responsible, dedicated, talented and kind…Because of their courage, we were able to have a program this year which has been a time full of fun, learning, and growth.  To all seven participants, thank you for sharing your light with me and those around you.”   

The dedication and talent were on clear display throughout the evening.  Aided by the humorous emcee work of Mike and Cecilia Hess, the program moved professionally through the evening, and allowed all of the participants a well-earned place in the spotlight.  After a group performance to “Girl Just Wanna Have Fun” choreographed by Kristal Ford, the competition began in earnest.  

The ultimate awarding of the DYW for 2023 was based on five elements, two of which had already been completed before the program itself.  The first criteria used in judging was “Scholastic,” which involves the participants’ academic record and test scores.  The Scholastic portion is judged by a scholar, counselor, or another individual familiar with transcript evaluation.  The Scholastics judges were chaired by Megan Price.  The finalists for the Scholastic competition were Katie Marble and Alexis Shaw, who were awarded $200 by Hess Pumice, Idaho Real Estate Group, Mike, Lisa and Steve Adkinson, and Scott and Pamela Mills.  The winner of the category was Raegan Smith, who was awarded $300 by the Oneida Education Foundation.  The Scholastic category was worth 25% of the final score.

The second criteria was determined by a ten minute interview with the judges, in which the participant is evaluated on her “personality, her ability to relate to others, her maturity and her ability to express herself.”  The interview committee was composed of Shawna Daniels and Sam Henderson.  In the interview category, the $200 finalists were Alexis Shaw and Rayleigh Barnes, whose awards were donated by Joe and Sandra Thomas, ATC Communications, Flinders Realty & Exchange, Inc, and Josh and Natalie Paskett.  The winner of the $300 award for the category was Raegan Smith, and the award was provided by NuCor Steel-UtahThe Interview component also represented 25% of the final score.

The third criteria was Fitness, which involved performing to a scripted routine, choreographed by Ashlee Jensen, of physical activity.  The category was judged on the basis of “stamina, coordination, agility, and flexibility.”  To a backdrop of “Eye of the Tiger” participants executed pushups, situps, burpees, and a variety of other, nonstop elements.   $200 finalists for the event were Alexis Shaw and Journie Tovey, whose awards were donated by Horsley Funeral Home, Subway, and Jared and Laura Moyle.  The $300 winner was Rayleigh Barnes, whose award was donated by The Gym: Total Health & Fitness, Dusty Roche, Lincoln Financial Advisor.  Fitness accounted for 15% of the score.  Fitness was the first element of the competition scoring which was on display during the evening.

The fourth criteria was the Talent competition, which allowed each of the participants 90 seconds to display their specific talent of choice.  Katie Marble used the 90 seconds to create a quick painting of a mountainous sunset; Becca Ward performed a vocal solo; Kayleigh Worrell performed a dramatic theatrical piece; Rayleigh Barnes performed a dance solo; Raegan Smith performed a piano solo; Alexis Shaw performed a dance solo; and Journie Tovey performed a gymnastics routine.  Rayleigh Barnes and Journie Tovey were the $200 finalists in the competition, with the awards donated by Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital and Oneida County Clinic, Studio A Dance, and Alaina Schrenk, CPA.  The $300 winner was Raegan Smith, with the award provided by Last Mile Wireless, and J Peak Propane.  The Talent portion was worth 20% of the final score.

The final component was the “Self-Expression” category, which allowed each of the women to briefly respond to one of the emcee’s questions.  The questions, such as “what would you do to stop bullying?” and “what is your most important possession?” were answered in a variety of ways, from the humorous to the very thoughtful, and accounted for 15% of the total score.  The two $200 Finalists in the category were Rayleigh Barnes and Alexis Shaw.  The awards were donated by Thomas Electric, and Paula Davis and Ashlee Jensen.  The $300 winner was Raegan Smith, whose award was donated by Hess NAPA/ Hess Truck Auto Ag, and Joan and Jenny Hawkins.

Before the final awards were tabulated, last year’s DYW Kristal Ford was presented with a retrospective of her year with the title, and was presented with flowers by her parents. Previous DYW winners Rebekah Smith and Mikki Clark also presented “Forget-Me-Not” performances.     

After a suspenseful time for the judges to make their final decisions, the women took the stage again.  As a result of a combination of all the score elements, Alexis Shaw was named the 2nd Alternate Distinguished Young Woman of 2023, with a $600 award provided by Allen Drug, Oneida Family Dental, and Complete Fitness Innovations.  Rayleigh Barnes was named the 1st Alternate, with an $800 award provided by Hess Lumber and Home Center.  Raegan Smith was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Malad for 2023, with a $1000 award provided by the DYW Committee and the Malad 4th of July Fun Run.

Additionally, a “Spirit of Distinguished Young Women” award was selected by the participants for the woman they felt contributed most to a fun and welcoming competition and awarded to Katie Marble.  The $300 award was provided by the Dude Ranch Café and Mike and Danece Hess.  A category of awards for overall performance called “Be Your Best Self” was given to Katie Marble, Kaleigh Worrell and Becca Ward.  The awards were donated by Mountain West Drilling, Mike Frandsen, Dr. Brady Robbins, Rhonda Daniels, and Kim and Sue Evans.

Hailey Sweeten was the Production Chairman of a very well-produced event.  Paula Davis served as the Secretary and Treasurer.  Pamela Mills chaired the assorted judges.  Sandra Thomas served as the tabulator.  Alaina Shrenk was in charge of fundraising and gathering donations.  The tickets and program were designed by Candis Schow.  Laurie and Jeff Richins managed the lights, sound, and stage.  Hair and makeup specialist was Hayli Jeppsen.  Decorations were provided by Chris Jensen of Daisy Hollow Floral. Catering and Admission were handled by Nikki Schwartz.  Crystal Kimberling was the official photographer.  The Be Your Best Self Program was headed by Hailee Hanks, Heidi Kimberling, Beth Bastian.  Laura deJong supervised the Fun Run event.