MOSES LAKE — Six high school juniors will compete for the title of Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman in the annual program scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 E. Sharon Ave.

Contestants for 2022 are Beverly Ross, McKenna Meise, Makiya Kast, Emma Fulkerson, Lydia Jensen and Reegan Radach. The Distinguished Young Women program is open to high school juniors only.

After two years of alternate venues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program returns to the MLHS theater. The 2021 pageant was held at the Youth Dynamics building, while the 2020 pageant was outdoors at the residence of a DYW committee member.

Seating in the MLHS theater will be limited due to pandemic restrictions.

“We are so excited to finally have a full program back in the works,” wrote DYW chair Rianne Roylance in an email. “As we continue to showcase the accomplishments of beautiful young ladies in the community we are so glad to give them the opportunity to earn college scholarships.”

The 2022 theme is “Roaring in the ’20s.”

The current Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman is Esther Roeber, who won the state program in August. Roeber will compete in the national DYW program in June. Rebecca Shaporda was the first runner-up in 2022, and Laurel Knox was the second runner-up. Beverly Ross is the daughter of Don and Margo Ross, and attends Moses Lake High School. She will be performing a spoken word selection for the talent portion. McKenna Meise also is planning a spoken word performance. She is the daughter of Fred and Darla Meise and attends Moses Lake Christian Academy.

Makiya Kast is the daughter of Joshua and Crystal Kast and is a student at Moses Lake Christian Academy. She will perform a vocal solo in the talent portion. Emma Fulkerson is the daughter of Kraig and Amy Fulkerson and attends Moses Lake High School and Big Bend Community College. She plans a dance number for the talent portion.

Lydia Jensen will perform a piano solo. She is the daughter of David and Lachelle Jensen and attends Moses Lake High School. Reegan Radach is the daughter of Traye and Lori Radach and attends Moses Lake High School. She will perform a dance solo.

The winner advances to the Washington Distinguished Young Women pageant held in Pullman in August. The winner and first and second runners-up represent Moses Lake at events around the state.

Contestants perform a routine highlighting their individual talents, answer an unscripted question and participate in a group fitness routine. All contestants are interviewed by the judges before the program, and the judges also review each girl’s scholastic record.

The winner and first and second runners-up receive scholarships for college or post-secondary training. Scholarships also are awarded in the talent, self-expression, fitness, community outreach and interview categories. The contestants vote on the Spirit Award, given to one girl; it also comes with a scholarship.

Tickets are $10 per person and will be available at the door, or can be purchased from the contestants.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.