Oneida County has a strong tradition of success in the Distinguished Young Women Scholarship (formerly Junior Miss) competition.  In recent years, Malad has been responsible for a first alternate, as well as individual category winners at the state competition. 

The season for DYW begins bright and early in January, eventually leading to the local competition in April and the state competition later in the year.  This year, the Opening Social for Malad DYW was held on January 13, which officially brought the young women, hostesses, and committee together to kick things off.  This year’s theme was announced as “Fierce.”

During the Opening Social, this year’s competitors were treated to the advice of last year’s winners, who were: Spirit of DYW Aubrey Corbett, 3rd Alternate Makiya Shulz, 2nd Alternate Aubree Palmer, 1st Alternate/Spirit of DYW Katie Coatney, and DYW Madelyn Shaw.  Each of last year’s representatives took a few minutes to share their thoughts and feelings, as well as what they learned from participating in DYW.

This year’s participants introduced themselves, their families, and their hostesses.  The young women who have taken up the DYW challenge this year are (alphabetically) Cale Carter, Jaylee Ekstrom, Jaezie Jensen, Rebecca McCracken, Braylee Price, and Adilyn Schow.

Representing the Interview Committee, Shawna Daniels spoke about the interview requirements and what the process will involve.  Pam Mills, Chairman of the Judges, spoke to the young women on each area of the evaluation and what the judges look for as they make their observations.  The categories the participants will be judged on include Interview (25%), Scholastic (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%).  The participants were given a folder of paperwork and information, a calendar of the event schedule, and then they drew their participant numbers.

This year’s program will be held at the Marsh Valley Performing Arts Building.  The Dress Rehearsal will be at 7:00 p.m. on April 25, and the final event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the next day, April 26.  

As the first official meeting wrapped up, Chairperson Nikki Schwartz shared some thoughts with this year’s participants: “Please be respectful to the committee and you hostesses,” she said.  “We are all volunteering our time and talents to make this program work and to help you do your best.”  Schwartz added that “This program should be a positive learning and growing experience for everyone.  Let’s work hard to make it that way.  Let’s build friendships—no talking about others behind their backs or judging what they may or may not be doing.”

Refreshments at the meeting were provided by Kami Willie, Tori Green, Sherrie Evans, and Lyndsey Thomas.     

The 2025 Malad DYW Committee is made up of Nikki Schwartz, Chair; Callie Werk, Production Chair; Pamela Mills, Judges’ Chair, Christy Jenkins, Judges’ Co-Chair; Paula Davis, Treasurer; Shawna Daniels, Interview Committee; Nacona Smith, Scholastic Judge Chair; Alaina Schrenk, Fundraising; Heidi Kimberling, Beth Bastian, Hailee Hanks, Be Your Best Self; Jeff Richins, Stage Manager; Ashlee Jensen, Social Media Specialist and Tickets and Programs; Tori Green, Kami Willie, Lyndsey Thomas, Sherrie Evans, Catering; Jaclyn Nielsen, Fun Run.