Lily Kate Johnson, the 2027 Clarke County Distinguished Young Woman, recently competed in the State DYW program and made some memories of a lifetime.
The program consisted of much more than simple pageantry over the course of two or three days; instead, she experienced an entire week that helped her grow and learn more than she ever thought possible.
“The entire week of DYW was the most personal growth experience that I’ve ever had,” proclaimed Lily Kate. “We learned so many different things through the week about how to communicate with other people, how to find the positive in every situation, and how to be optimistic, but we also learned so much about ourselves. We learned how far we were willing to push ourselves and even when exhausted how to keep going. During the week of DYW, all the parties and events, my host family, and the friends that I made were absolutely incredible. I would do it 100 times over.”
Of course, she did have a favorite part of the experience.
“My favorite part was The Max night,” declared Lily Kate. “That Wednesday night, we went to The Max, and they had college recruiters there. There were female representatives from all the Mississippi colleges. They talked to us about different things like networking in college, the pillars to live your life by, and then they told us about how it’s important that you finish that degree instead of leaving college and then coming back. They said it’s important to just put your head down and keep going all the way through. It was just very inspirational because that’s not typically something you get to hear a college recruiter telling you. It was nice to hear them talk about how you can do college and come out successful.”
All of the girls had fun and made some great memories together in other ways as well.
“One of my favorite things we did that week outside of just regular rehearsal was the prom night,” recalled Lily Kate. “It was an all girls prom, and they gave us seven minutes to get dressed for the prom night. We learned how to do our hair and makeup extremely fast and that being your best self is more than just your abilities; it’s also your appearance. It was very exciting because there was no pressure. There was nothing besides girls just dancing and literally having the night of our lives. It was so fun.”
Throughout the week, each of the girls also learned that it is possible to have fun and accomplish a great deal without the use of technology.
“Another thing that was kind of weird about DYW was that the room we were in pretty much all day, every day had no clocks, no windows, and we weren’t allowed phones or stuff like that from 7:30 to 9:30,” explained Lily Kate. “We were literally out of the real world, and we were in like DYW land because all day we just talked to each other. It was incredible because it showed that you don’t need your cell phone. We would get in the car with our drivers in the evening and wouldn’t even know what to look at. It’s like a total cell phone freeze the whole time you’re there. You can talk to your parents on the phone from the time you wake up until 7:30 a.m. and again when you get your phone back around 9:30 p.m. to whatever time you go to bed. That’s all you get.”
Of course, volunteering is a huge part of DYW, and she was able to see first hand how volunteering with the program continues to have an impact in the future.
“One other thing is that the local and state DYW showed me a different side of volunteers,” expressed Lily Kate. “The women and everyone who puts their time into DYW truly want the best for every single person there. It tied it all in together. They say when you go through the DYW program that you’re forever a DYW because so many of those women come back. Even with the host families, they are allotting a whole week to providing whatever girl they are placed with the best experience they can. It really showed me how to be grateful because those people make that experience what it is.”
The actual competition started Thursday evening that week. Although the competition has the same components that the local competition has, the events are separated into different nights. She was prepared for everything but appreciated how everything was scheduled.
“Luckily, I was able to get my interview and talent on the same night and then self-expression and fitness on the other,” stated Lily Kate. “In the front end of the program, it was simple because I was able to accomplish the first day without being completely stressed out. Then the second day, it was definitely go time. The last night when they had us put it all together if we made the Top 10, it was definitely different. It’s just like the local program, so it’s not really a huge change. You’ve been prepared for it all week, so it’s nothing too difficult.”
She ended up winning a Preliminary Award in Self-Expression and was also named as part of the Top 10 finalists.
The preliminary award is something that she is extremely proud of.
“Self-expression is 100 percent my favorite because I love anything interview centered, and I love to answer questions on the spot. The first night, we were given a question 20 minutes before we had to go on stage, and after you make the Top 10 you just flip over the card and see whatever it says. I definitely enjoy just flipping it over and coming up with an answer right there,” informed Lily Kate. “I felt very accomplished when I got the Preliminary Award in Self-Expression because that was kind of what I was working towards in my entire process leading up to DYW. If I could have my choice of preliminary award, that would have been my favorite to get, and I accomplished that. I felt like that was the moment I had prepared for and that my hard work had paid off.”
She was also thrilled to be named as a Top 10 finalist.
“I was extremely surprised when they made the announcement because I knew that I prepared and performed well, but I didn’t know that I was in the realm of what I thought were the best girls there,” expressed Lily Kate. “Whenever I was named, I was proud of myself and felt very accomplished. Everyone was so good, so to be able to set yourself apart is a whole new league.”
Now that the competition is over, she is thankful for all the support that she has been given since gaining the title for Clarke County back in February.
“I’m very thankful for all my friends and my family that went,” proclaimed Lily Kate. “I’m especially thankful for our local DYW committee that made sure they were there and that they supported the entire process.”
