Beginning July 18 and running through July 20, Anna Donald will participate in the Mississippi Distinguished Young Women Program in Meridian, Mississippi, at the Evangel Temple Church.
Anna was selected as the representative for Jones County on January 19 and was awarded many cash scholarships during her local scholarship program held at the South Jones Performing Arts Center in Ellisville. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%).
Throughout the next few months, Donald represented the county at various public events and served as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.
Donald is the daughter of Chad and Brooke Donald and is a senior at South Jones High School in Ellisville. Anna has one sister, Whitney. Anna is involved in various activities at her high school as well as in her community. She recently performed the National Anthem and various vocal presentations at Relay for Life of Jones County.
She also completed a community service project through her involvement with Future Leaders of Jones County and through her church on a mission trip.
Other scholarships were awarded to the following young women in January: Claire Douglas from Laurel Christian High School, First Alternate and “Be Your Best Self” Essay Award; Kolbi Holifield of West Jones High School, Second Alternate; and Anna Donald, Spirit of Distinguished Young Women. Zoey McMahon won Overall Fitness, Anna Donald won Overall Interview, Anna Donald won Overall Scholastic, Kolbi Holifield won Overall Talent, and Anna Donald won Overall Self-Expression.
Donald will travel to Meridian, along with 36 other representatives from across the state, to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2020 and for additional cash scholarships.
For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Jones County, please contact Chairman Suzanne Manning at jones@distinguishedyw.org or find the program on Facebook and Instagram.