Rachel Law named Moses Lake Distinguished Young Miss
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 10 months AGO
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | April 8, 2018 3:26 PM
MOSES LAKE — Rachel Law was selected as the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman 2018 in the annual program Saturday night at Moses Lake High School. Renee Ohs was the first runner-up and Lexi Gaither the second runner-up.
“I am excited,” Rachel said after her selection was announced. She will represent Moses Lake in the state DYW pageant scheduled for August in Pullman. That's one of the most exciting things about the next year, she said.
She was confident going in, she said. “I felt prepared.” She learned a lot through the program and the preparation, she said, about presenting herself, about interviewing, even about walking on stage in heels.
Rachel will succeed Jana Osborne, who also won the Washington Distinguished Young Woman title and will represent the state in the national pageant this summer. The 2018 program was also the last for longtime co-chairs Bonnie Dorris and Jeni Chandler, who are giving up the volunteer job after more than 20 years of participation.
The 2017 DYW court of Jana Osborne, Morgan Tolley and Cora Bruneel presented Chandler and Dorris with special awards.
As the winner Rachel will receive a scholarship, and she also won scholarships for the interview, scholastic and community outreach portions of the program.
Renee won the spirit award, which is voted on by the contestants.
Lexi received scholarships for the self-expression, talent and fitness categories.
Rachel and Renee both performed vocal solos, while Lexi performed a dance solo.
The DYW court attends parades and events around the region and the state. The 2017 participants reviewed some of the events they attended in 2017-18, including the Grant Moonlight Parade in Moses Lake, parades in Leavenworth and Warden, and the Buddy Walk in Moses Lake.
She was excited when she was chosen as Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman, Jana said, and as the year ended she was grateful for the experience. “Lots of smiling and waving - which is a fun pastime,” Morgan said.
“This year has been awesome,” Morgan said, and Cora said representing Moses Lake was a lot of fun.
The program included dance numbers from Today's Generation and Dance FX dance companies.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabainherald.com.
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