With a record $15,000-plus in scholarships delivered and 15 young ladies representing all five local high schools, the Distinguished Young Women of Christian County capped the organization’s best-ever weekend late Sunday by crowning Hopkinsville High School’s Hadley Hancock its Class of 2023 “Distinguished Young Woman.”
A comprehensive performance in the Historic Alhambra Theatre brought a close to a whirlwind six weeks — one that included an application process, considerable fundraising and solicitation, and a number of rehearsals leading up to the weekend.
Erin Namie, first-year chairman for Distinguished Young Women of Christian County, noted these successes aren’t possible without the women who took the stage — or the fundraising campaign prior.
Known as the largest and oldest scholarship program for women in the country, DYW began nationwide in 1958 and was quickly adopted in Christian County. A hiatus in Hopkinsville from 1995 until the late 2000s did little to slow down its recent impact.
Restarted in 2009, Namie said it’s been going strong ever since — and she wished it had existed when she was in school. After embracing 10 participants in 2021, Namie added it felt incredible to see the class grow this fall.
Five different women claimed honors in these categories, including Hancock, Heritage Christian Acadamy’s McKenzi Travis, Hopkinsville’s Bailey Kington, Hopkinsville’s Yari Vazquez and UHA’s Mallory Aldridge.
While Hancock was more than deserving, Namie said it was extremely difficult to narrow down a winner.
Five categories help determine a top choice — overall scholastics, an interview, a talent performance, a show of self-expression and overall fitness. Aldridge was named fifth, Travis fourth, Kington third and Vazquez second. All 15 participants received, at the very least, a $150 scholarship for participating. Namie said that was made possible due to the generosity of Christian County businesses and individuals.
More information on DYW of Christian County can be found online at http://christian.ky.distinguishedyw.org, or on their Facebook.
Category Winners
Scholastic: McKenzi Travis (HCA) and Bailey Kington (Hoptown)
Interview: Haley Killebrew (HCA) and Hadley Hancock (Hoptown)
Talent: Yari Vazquez (Hoptown) Haley Killebrew (HCA)
Self-Expression: McKenzi Travis (HCA) and McKenzi Travis (HCA)
Fitness: Yari Vazquez (Hoptown) and Hadley Hancock (Hoptown)
Other scholarship awards included:
Community Service: Mallory Aldridge (UHA) and Bailey Kington (Hoptown)
Be Your Best Self: Hannah Jane Holland (UHA) and Bailey Kington (Hoptown)
Overachiever: Hannah Jane Holland (UHA) and Sloane Hampton (UHA)
Spirit: Faith Folz (Hoptown)
2022-23 SPONSORS
Platinum sponsors include: Campanile Productions, Jason E. Holland Attorney at Law, and 2016 Distinguished Young Woman of Christian County’s Sydnee Perdue
Gold sponsors include: Atlas Real Estate, Bluegrass Cheer and Dance, Brooke Bailey Dance Addiction, Carver Oil, Clark Consulting a& Physical Therapy, Facility Services Management, Inc., H&R Agri-Power, Katie Thomason (2017 DYW CC), Kiwanis of Hopkinsville, Richardson & Craig Law, Rotary of Hopkinsville, The UPS Store
Silver sponsors include: Altman Coatings, Brame Farms, Breathtaking Vacations Travel Agency, Continental Mills, Davinci’s Steak House, Douglass Autotech, Fletcher Law Office, Friends of DYW, Higgins Insurance, Hughart, Beard & Giles Funeral Home, Keith Hampton Mowing, Kustom Designs, Linda’s Tax Service LLC, Michael Venable State Farm, Planters Bank, Ruffled Willow, Special Occasions, Tim Rose
Bronze sponsors include: All Occasions Formals, Antonio Melani, Backyard Bouncers, BBQ Shack, Charlie Henderson State Farm, Christian County Military Affairs, Craig & Kelsey Photography, Dava & Frankie Thomas, Domino’s Pizza, EML LLC, Enhance, Gay Nell Rittenberry, Town & Country Realty, Gray Farms, Harbor Insurance Agency, Holly & Keith Hampton, Homeplace Mortgage, Hoptown Hoppers, Juice Plus, Judy Green P.T., Katherine Demps for Family Court Judge, Mark 1 Auto Wash, Mr. Mulch, O’Charley’s of Hopkinsville, Pennyrile Ford, Ray Cobb, Town & Country Realty, Save More Drugs, Steve Tribble, Sue & Charles Billingsley, Superlawn & Garden LLC, Tiffany & Michael Baker, The Farmer’s Daughter, The Horseshoe, Tracie Atwood, KY Jr. Miss, Traditions Finance Co., LLC, Todd Rose, United Way, Virginia’s Hair Salon, Williams Advertising
Friends sponsors include: Allison Grace, Town & Country Realty, Bella Marie Boutique, Bobby Rose, Campaign to Re-elect Judge John Atkins, Center of Insurance, Chicken Salad Chick, Creations by Tammy, Donna Gallagher, Food Lion, Gracious Me!, Harlow, Palin & Anne Brian Hampton, Herb Hays Furniture, Janie Ezell, Town & Country Realty, Jimmy Johns, Melinda Humphries for Christian County Clerk, Nancy Lesieur, Nancy & Lindsay Freeman, Papa John’s Pizza, Pee Ridge Properties, Poptown Popsicles, Southern Exposure, Steve Keel, City Council Ward 10, Stockton Mortgage, Sue Ann McKissick, Tammy Barns, Town & Country Realty, Tammy & Jarrod Billingsley, Tasha & Will Uland, The Embellished Home, Travis Martin for City Council Ward 6, Wayne East, Town & Country Realty, West & Witherspoon, WHOP Radio, WKDZ Radio
Class of 2023
Hannah Jane Holland
Alexandria Williams
Mallory Aldridge
Brianna Raigoza
McKenzi Travis
Addison Kemp
Yari Vazquez
Evelyn Sanchez
Lilian Bruce
Faith Folz
Bailey Kington
Mariah Dukes
Sloan Hampton
Haley Killebrew
Hadley Hancock
