Hyco Lake Magazine is proud to support the Distinguished Young Women of Roxboro and we encourage all of our readers and local businesses to do so as well. These young people are our future!
Looking for more info and some history: Junior Miss to Distinguished Young Women – 2019 Volume 1
There Is Something to Come Back For – 2019 Volume 2
Christi Lappin: She Keeps Them Dancing – 2019 Volume 3
Abby Porterfield – Person High School

Career Goals

Psychiatrist

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill or UNC Wilmington

Activities/Honors

Dance at Christi’s Dance Center, Drill Team Captain, National Honor Society, Lifeguard, Youth at Mt. Zion Methodist

Talent

Dance to “Jal Ho”

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

To learn more about myself and to break out of my comfort zone.

Ahn Overbey – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

I want to become a forensic pathologist.

College Choice(s)

ECU, Tulane, UNC Chapel Hill

Activities/Honors

RCS AP Academy, Senior CotillionAssistant, RCS Jazz Band, Interact Club

Talent

Singing

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the program because I thought this would be a great opportunity to meet new friends and earn scholarship money.

Courtney Paylor – Person High School

Career Goals

Attend Winston-Salem State University or University of North Carolina at Charlotte and major in Law.

College Choice(s)

Winston-Salem State University, UNC Charlotte

Activities/Honors

Varsity Cheer leading Team, JROTC Battalion Commander, Person County Teen Court Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, ASCEND Club, Student Council, Peer Group Connections

Talent

Monologue

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I want to have an experience my senior year that I would never forget. I wanted something to help me with my self confidence and bring out the best version of me.

Lauren Kendrick – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Architect / Interior Design

College Choice(s)

UNC Charlotte, Appalachian State University

Activities/Honors

Dance, Beat Club, Interact Club, Church Youth Group, Competitive gymnastics coach at Roxboro Gymnastics Academy, Lifeguard, NCHSAA Scholar-Athlete, Girl Scouts

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to be a participant in this year’s program because it’s a program that I have grown up watching, and have always known that I wanted to experience, Between the friendships that you make and the skills that you acquire, it’s overall an amazing opportunity.

Ashlin Jacques – Person High School

Career Goals

Business Development

College Choice(s)

UNCW, Coastal Carolina University

Activities/Honors

Dance, Drill Team, National Honor Society, Governor’s School Nominee, PHS DECA Member, Key Club, Mt. Zion Youth Member

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the DYW program because I wanted to form an unbreakable bond with my fellow classmates before we go off to college. I hope to make long lasting memories with all of the other contestants!

Kristina Marraccini – Person High School

Career Goals

Major in Biology, Minor in Agriculture

College Choice(s)

NC State or UNCW

Activities/Honors

Dance, Drill team, Honor Society, Key Club

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

To meet new people and learn more about myself and experience new things.

Taylor Ann Rogers – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Tax Lawyer

College Choice(s)

UNC Wilmington

Activities/Honors

Youth Group, Jazzercise, Church Lay Reader, Interact Club, Dance, SADD Club, Babysitting, Senior Beta Club, School Pom/Dance Team, Junior Marshal

Talent

Jazz Dance – Greased Lightning

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

Distinguished Young Women has been an long running program that people in our town of Roxboro have loved and supported for many years. I decided to participate in this program for the opportunity to meet new people and help me prepare for a successful future by gaining experience for future life skills. I also had two Aunts who participated in the program several years ago. They both loved it and encouraged me to become a part of this wonderful program.

Grey Marie Carver – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Clinical Research or Elementary Education

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, ECU

Activities/Honors

2019 Jr. Marshall, Dual Enrollment in Piedmont Community College, Scholar Athlete Award, A-Honor Roll, BETA Club – Jr. Class Representative, SAAD Club – Secretary, InterACT Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, RCS Dance Team, Christi’s Dance Center Elite Company Member

Talent

Lyrical Dance “To Build a Home” by The Cinematic Orchestra

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the Distinguished Young Women’s program to help me prepare for the world after high school. My hope is that this program will help me become a better public speaker, improve my interview skills, build lifelong friendships, and become my best self.

Skyler Morris – Person High School

Career Goals

Genetic Research

College Choice(s)

UNCW, Coastal Carolina University

Activities/Honors

Dance, Chorus, National Honors Society, Key Club, Student Council

Talent

Singing

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I feel like this is a good opportunity to connect with other girls, explore my talents and strengths, and learn valuable lessons that will help me through the rest of high school, college and life.

Davina Hoang – Person High School

Career Goals

Go into the medical field to become a pediatrician

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill, UNCW, Wake Forest, Campbell, Elon

Activities/Honors

Junior Marshall, Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in this program to learn new skills that will be beneficial to me in the future. Creating new bonds and strengthening friendships is also something I look forward to in this program.

Saniya Ricks – Person High School

Career Goals

Future mortician

College Choice(s)

Fayetteville Tech (Mortician Program)

Activities/Honors

Dance, Cheer, American History Honors

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I heard it was fun and a good experience.

Jaliyah Smith – Person High School

Career Goals

Become a Physical Therapist

College Choice(s)

ECU, UNC Charlotte

Activities/Honors

Student Council

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in DYW because it’ll be nice to take part in a community program. And it’s a good way to meet new people.

Payten Pearsail – Person High School

Career Goals

Orthopedic Surgeon

College Choice(s)

UNC – Chapel Hill, UNCW, ECU

Activities/Honors

National Honor Society, HOSA, Softball Cross-County, Junior Marshall, Most dedicated to softball.

Talent

Singing a song in ASL (American Sign Language)

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate because I had heard so many good stories from other girls about their experience with the program. I also saw this as an opportunity to meet new people.

Hester Claire Linville – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Elementary School Teacher

College Choice(s)

Appalachian State University, ECU, UNC Charlotte

Activities/Honors

Dance, Youth Group, Beat Club, Baby Sitting

Talent

Lyrical Dance (A Thousand Years by Christina Perri)

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I want the chance to grow closer to many amazing people.

Graze Stultz – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

To study law

College Choice(s)

University of North Carolina

Activities/Honors

Piano, Cross County, Youth Legislative Assembly

Talent

Playing Piano, Claire de Lune

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in DYW to meet new people, and I thought it would be a good learning experience to prepare me for the future.

Ashlyne Rouse – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Neonatal Nurse

College Choice(s)

ECU

Activities/Honors

Beta Club, Company Dancer at Christi’s Dance Center, SADD Vice President, Interact Club, Pom Team, Jazzercise, Theresa Baptist Youth, Cashier at Food Lion

Talent

Jazz Dance to Torn by Nathan Lanier

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the program because it is an amazing program and a good opportunity to meet new people.

Anniston Marie Stovall – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Nurse Practitioner / Dermatologist

College Choice(s)

UNCW / ECU / App State

Activities/Honors

Local dance at Christi’s Dance Center, Captain of RCSCheer / Pom Team, Spanish Club, Beta Club, Interact Club, Selected for Rotary Youth Legislative Assembly

Talent

Lyrical Dance to “Ashes” by Celine Dion

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

My main attraction to participate in DYW was to gain leadership and communication skills. Growing up I was always involved in many sports and extracurricular activities which kept me busy and always had me make new friends. I think this program is a great opportunity for all of us young women to learn new things to carry along with us on our future ventures while making fun and amazing memories along the way. I already know that all of us participants will become close friends throughout the duration of this program and we will learn and gain so much. I think what I look forward to most is having the opportunity to participate in this program with all of these girls while having the opportunity to showcase my own talents and possibly win a scholarship as well.

India Burton – Person High School

Career Goals

Nursing

College Choice(s)

Winston-Salem State University, UNC Charlotte, ECU

Activities/Honors

National Honor Society, Fabulous Feet Dance Company, Varsity Cheerleader, JROTC Battalion SGM, Secretary of SADD, Peer Group Connections, ASCEND Club, Key Club, Student Council

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the Program because I’ve heard nothing but great things about this program and I knew it would be an experience that I wouldn’t forget.

Alexis Jordan Vernon – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Pharmaceutical development

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill

Activities/Honors

Beta Club President, Cheer Co-Captain, Pom Team, Interact Club, Spanish Club

Talent

Contemporary Jazz Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

Being a smaller community such as Roxboro, I grew up hearing about and attending DYW for several years. This program has a large impact on so many young women not only from our area but nationally as well and I welcome the opportunity to participate. I am excited to grow from a program that offers all of us new experiences and the chance to become a part of something larger.

Courtney Gentry – Person High School

Career Goals

Dermatologist

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, UNC Charlotte, ECU

Activities/Honors

Nina’s School of Dance Company Member, Drill Team Captain, Governor School West Participant, Graduation Marshall, Homecoming Representative for 2016 and 2018, National Honor Society, PCC President’s List, VDA Camp All American (x2)

Talent

Contemporary Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in this program to help me step out of my comfort zone since I’m not typically comfortable with speaking in front of people or being interviewed. I am also excited about making new friends and doing all of the fun things involved in the program.

Carly Davis – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Elementary School Teacher

College Choice(s)

High Point University and Elon University

Activities/Honors

Dance, Beat Club, Babysitting, Youth Group, School Pom Team, Interact Club

Talent

Tap Dance “Ease on Down the Road”

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I decided to participate in the program because I thought it would be a great experience, I am also looking forward to the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

Aivry Coleman – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Marine biologist / conservationist

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill

Activities/Honors

Dance, Trombonist in RCS Honors Jazz and Concert Bands, Disc Golf, Member of Roxboro Baptist Church Youth Group

Talent

Jazz Dance to “Come Alive” from The Greatest Showman

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I have grown up attending Roxboro’s DYW program and have always wanted to participate because it looks like so much fun!

Melissa F. Carver – Person High School

Career Goals

Hopes to attend law school

College Choice(s)

Wake Forest University or The University of Alabama

Activities/Honors

National Honor Society, Speaker for the 50th Annual NC Youth Legislative Assembly, Drill Team, Assistant coach for girls soccer at North Middle School, Lifeguard, Key Club, and mission trips to Zimbabwe, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the mountains of North Carolina.

Talent

Dance

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

I grew up watching girls participate and always knew I wanted to participate when I became old enough.

Kyleigh Zane Burton – Roxboro Community School

Career Goals

Dance Choreographer, Pediatric Nurse

College Choice(s)

UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, ECU

Activities/Honors

Christi’s Dance center Senior Elite Company, Gymnastics coach, Hanging out with friends, Church / Bible study, Volunteering, Working, Tutoring, Exercising, Crafting, Secretary of National Senior Beta Club, Interact Club, Spanish Club, Science Club, SADD Club, Student Council, All American Dancer, Governor’s School Nominee

Talent

Contemporary Dance (Survivor by 2WEI)

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

Every year, since I was in middle school, I have watched the Distinguished Young Women of Roxboro program with awe and amazement. I have always imagined what it would be like to participate when I became a senior. The years have flown by and now it is my turn! Not only did the scholarship opportunities draw me into DYW, but seeing the friendships emerge from past participants. It is much more than just a program in what it provides a platform for high school girls to be a positive light in the world and reach their full potential. It gives young women a chance to make a difference, get involved in the community, and be their best self. The Distinguished Young Women of Roxboro program presents opportunities for lessons in life skills, lifelong friendships, and a lasting positive impact.

Macie Elizabeth Perkins – Person High School

Career Goals

Nursing

College Choice(s)

Piedmont Community College

Activities/Honors

Drill Team

Talent

Dancing to Escalate by Tsar B

Why did you decide to participate in the program?

Everyone talks about the wonderful experience and I had to see for myself.