MOSES LAKE - Kendall Earl was smiling and ecstatic about winning the Distinguished Young Woman title at the Moses Lake Junior Miss Program Saturday night.

Backstage, the 17-year-old Moses Lake girl was receiving hugs from well-wishers as cameras flashed.

Still dressed in a plum ball gown, the tall blonde thanked her parents, Dr. David and Peggy Earl, her sisters, and her brother, for their help.

Although many people assisted her, her mom stood out, Kendall said.

"She's amazing," Kendall said.

Peggy credits the competition for teaching her daughter poise and self-confidence and increasing her awareness of world events for the required interviews.

Instead of just highlighting their own qualifications, competitors are required to know more.

"They just have to know a variety of things," Peggy said. "A job interview will be a piece of cake."

The competition also encouraged her daughter to earn good grades, which paid off.

Kendall won three out of six total program awards in the areas of scholastics, interviewing and self-expression.

She competed against six other high school juniors for the title at Moses Lake High School's auditorium before a sell-out crowd of 500 people.

Other award winners are as follows: Dayna Bergeson, talent and community outreach; Avery Maxfield, spirit; and Samantha Calder, fitness. Award winnings are $200 each. 

Bergeson was named the first finalist and Calder was the second finalist.

As the Distinguished Young Woman, Kendall receives a $2,000 scholarship and $600 for her program awards, said program Co-Chair Bonnie Dorris. She served with program Co-Chair Jeni Chandler.

Kendall, Bergeson and Calder appear in a parade celebrating baseball season at the end of the month, and then ride on the Moses Lake community float in the Springfest parade.

Other parades follow statewide.

"It looks like it will be an exciting summer," Dorris said.

Kendall competes in Pullman on Aug. 6 for the state title. If she wins the state title, she has the ability to compete for more scholarship money on the national level.

Dorris said the Moses Lake competition gives the young women the ability to show off their strengths. 

"It gives you the total picture, not just one particular category," she commented.

During the event Saturday, audience members were smiling and engaged, clearly enjoying the youth and exuberance shown in the performances.

"There wasn't a girl up there who you wouldn't categorize as someone who was a winner," Dorris said.