Sandpoint teens taking part in DYW program

Zella Lopez
SHANNON SHEREE PHOTOGRAPHY

Jasmine Alexander

Mira Gunter

Audrey Waldrup

Betti Travers

Madison Hall

Peyton Guercio

Alice Davison

Ada Anderson

| March 22, 2024 1:00 AM

Saturday, nine outstanding Sandpoint High School junior girls from the Class of 2025 will participate in Distinguished Young Women of Sandpoint.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Sandpoint Middle School gymnasium. The doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Distinguished Young Women is part of a national scholarship program that positively impacts the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership, and talent.

Pre-sale tickets may be purchased on or before March 22 by calling 509-347-6095 or emailing sandpoint@distinguishedyw.org. Tickets purchased in advance are $15 for adult tickets and $10 for student/child tickets. Tickets at the door will be $15 for all.

This year’s theme is "Courage" and each of the nine participants — Zella Lopez, Jasmine Alexander, Mira Gunter, Audrey Waldrup, Betti Travers, Madison Hall, Peyton Guercio, Alice Davison, and Ada Anderson — have shown so much courage over the last few months and are ready to bring it to the stage.

Each Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics, 25% of overall score; interview, 25% of overall score; talent, 20% of overall score; fitness, 15% of overall score; and self-expression, 15% of overall score.

The winner announced March 23 will be awarded a $4,000 scholarship and will go on to compete at the state level in Idaho Falls on Oct. 4-5. An additional $14,100 in scholarships will also be awarded the night of our program. The entire Distinguished Young Women of Sandpoint committee congratulates each of these amazing young ladies! We are extremely proud of all that they have achieved and the growth they have shown during our time with them. Their futures are bright with possibilities.

Participants in the 2024 Sandpoint Distinguished Young Women for the Class of 2025 are:

Zella Lopez, Participant No. 1 — Zella’s plans after graduation are to attend Utah State University with the goal of becoming a librarian. Her favorite activities include working at the public library and assisting the children’s librarian, piano, organ, babysitting, high school performance choir, being in two church choirs, and church.

Her achievements include the Personal Progress Award, Member of the National Honors Society, and Local Future City Competition. For her talent, she will be playing “Ballade” by Johann Friedrich Burgmuller on the Piano.

Jasmine Alexander, Participant No. 2 — Jasmine plans to attend a trade school to become an electrician. Her activities include snowboarding, raising/taking care of animals, cheerleading, lacrosse, reading, cooking, puzzles, riding/training horses, and coloring.

Jasmine’s achievements include 2021 4-H Horse competing locally in Hippology, competing as a group at state placing first for the Idaho 4-H Youth horse contests and was awarded two certificates from SHS Cheer, Honor Roll and being awarded two certificates for freshman and sophomore years, 2020 awarded Saddle Pad from the 4-H committee.

For Jasmine’s talent, she will perform an Original Monologue, entitled “Anxiety.”

Mira Gunter, Participant No. 3 — Mira is deciding between North Idaho College to pursue labor and delivery nursing or cosmetology school to become a cosmetologist.

Mira’s activities include 4-H Market Beef and softball. Her achievements this far have been completing eight years of 4-H.

For Mira’s talent, she will be performing sign language, signing to “My Wish,” by Rascal Flatts.

Audrey Waldrup, Participant No. 4 — Audrey plans to attend Boise State to build a career that supports the lifestyle she wants.

Her activities include creative writing short stories, creative writing poetry, running, cooking, Cedar Post writing, reading, listening to podcasts about various arts, listening to music, dancing, swing dance, salsa, and Irish dance.

For Audrey’s talent, she will be performing an Irish Dance, dancing to “The Star of County Down” by High King.

Betti Travers, Participant No. 5 — Betti planning to attend Lewis and Clark State College to obtain a master's in elementary education. Her activities include 4-H horse and steer, volleyball, and basketball. Betti’s achievements include a ninth national team placing in Hippology 2023, Honor Roll 2012-2023, Horsemanship Award 2021, state Champion in 4-H Horse Knowledge, and Heart of the Bulldog volleyball 2023.

For her talent she will perform an original monologue, sharing her 4-H knowledge and skills.

Madison Hall, Participant No. 6 — Madison’s plans after graduation are to attend Westminster University with the goal of becoming a professional snowboard coach.

Her activities include snowboarding, skateboarding, cross country, track (hurdles and distance), indoor climbing, mountain biking, and choir. Madison’s achievements include cross country varsity letter, President’s Education Awards Program Outstanding Academic Excellence 2021, Outstanding Individual Scholastic Award, first place in Dirksen Derby Banked Slalom Snowboard Competition division 15-18, 1st place Kicking Horse IFSO National Free Ride Competition division U19 Snowboard Women, and second place Grand Targhee IFSA National Free Ride Competition division U19 Snowboard Women.

For Madison’s talent, she will be singing an excerpt from “Tomorrow” from the movie Annie.

Peyton Guercio, Participant No. 7 — Peyton plans to attend Penn State College of Medicine and pursue a career in pediatrics.

Her activities include thrift shopping, youth group/church, reading, spoon ring making, and crocheting. For her talent she will be performing sign language, signing to “Beauty in the Struggle” by Bryan Martin.

Alice Davison, Participant No. 8 — Alice is planning to attend the University of Montana to obtain a degree in business management and graphic design.

Alice’s activities include running/walking, photography, pottery, crocheting, reading, and exploring. Her achievements include 5K medals. For Alice’s talent, she will be performing an original pottery demonstration, throwing to “The Night We Met” by Taylor Davis and Lara de Wit.

Ada Anderson, Participant No. 9 — Ada plans to attend BYU with a career goal to obtain a degree in music. Her activities include skiing, mountain biking, hiking, dancing, reading, violin, rock climbing, water sports, and singing. Ada’s achievements include winning Solo and Ensemble 2021.

For her talent, she will be playing “The Violin Sonata No. 1 Presto” by Johann Sebastian Bach on the violin.

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in DYW life skills workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, city of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, John Cauley Jeweler, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.