Welter named Lakeland's Distinguished Young Woman

RATHDRUM - Emily Welter made the most of it.

The aspiring psychologist and soon-to-be Boise State student won the Lakeland High School Distinguished Young Woman crown on Saturday.

"It really was a life-changing experience. The girls I was with were all encouraging each other," Welter said, calling her reaction to the win as "stunned." "I honestly wish every girl could have won something because they all deserved it in one aspect or another."

Welter earned $600 in scholarships for taking the top honor in the competition, titled 'Be Extraordinary.'

She'll represent Lakeland in the state competition in Idaho Falls in October. The state winner will represent Idaho at the national contest in June 2014.

"Emily did a fantastic job; they all did," said Debbie Waddell, who has helped organize the event for 15 years. "They did an extraordinary job. Every one of them was extraordinary. They were displaying the very best of themselves."

Welter earned top scores in three of the five categories - talent, self expression and fitness. She performed a tap dance for the talent portion, her favorite part of the competition, and each fitness performance had to be a four-minute, rigorous and choreographed routine.

"I went into it not knowing what to expect and it turned out I really enjoyed it," she said. "I really thought who ever won deserved it. I just didn't think it was going to be me."

The other categories were scholastic, and personal interview, where each young woman faced a panel of judges who asked a wide range of personal, political and world event questions.

Welter said she wants to study psychology so she can work with law enforcement agencies and counsel officers who go through traumatic experiences.

A junior, she participates at Judy's Dance Unlimited and is LHS Synergy Dance Team captain, as well as a soccer player and Lake City Community Church member.

McKayla Fahlenkamp earned first alternate and $400 in scholarships out of the 11 contestants. Kelly Ramus earned second alternate and $200 in scholarships.

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