Meet DYW contestants 8 through 10
Tickets for the program are $12, and they go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, April 19, at Mountain Mike's, 6486 Main Street. This year's Distinguished Young Women Style Show gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Pearl Theater, 7160 Ash Street.
Shaylee
Nicole Ellson – Contestant #8Shaylee Nicole Ellson is sponsored by Knights of Pythias. She is the daughter of Randy and Kelly Ellson. She has one older sister, Kaile.
After high school, Shaylee plans to attend College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri, and pursue a career in dance, healthcare or education. Shaylee finds historical figures Ruth and Joan of Arc interesting, as well as modern personalities Karen Perkins and Kylie Bisutti.
Shaylee has a passion for dance, and can be found spending her spare time in her jazz or ballet class, choreographing and performing for the school’s dance team, and even acting as a substitute dance instructor.
She serves as a kindergarten reading coach and student council secretary.
For her talent, Shaylee will be performing a self-choreographed dance to the song “What a Wonderful World."
When asked what makes her most proud of her generation, Shaylee states, “the way my generation is embracing the recent, greater push on education. This leaves me confident that we will lead this country in the right direction."
Amanda
Birch Wilson – Contestant #9Amanda Birch Wilson is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She is the daughter of Bruce Wilson and Shannon Earle. She has one older sister, Brook.
After graduation, Amanda plans to attend Oregon State University and study fashion.
Amanda is intrigued by modern actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Helena Bonham Carter, and finds historical figures Helen Keller and Martin Luther King, Jr. interesting.
Extracurricular activities that Amanda enjoys include dance team, volleyball, 4-H, and playing the piano.
For her talent, Amanda will be performing a dance routine.
When asked what makes her least proud of her generation, Amanda is concerned with the susceptibility to the distraction of technology. “We have become so closely connected that it is unhealthy; it is an addiction.”
Kendra
Urbaniak – Contestant #10Kendra Lee Urbaniak is sponsored by the Masonic Organizations, Lodge No. 43. She is the daughter of Jeff and Cara Urbaniak. She has one brother, Alex.
Kendra is undecided as to her career choice, but knows she wants to further her education after high school graduation.
Historical personalities that interest Kendra are Henry Ford and Marie Curie, while modern personalities she finds interesting are Pope Francis and J.K. Rowling.
A few of the activities that keep Kendra busy include Robotics, Foreign Language Society, cross-country, dance team, band and Honor Choir.
For her talent, Kendra will be singing “Let it Go," from the animated movie Frozen.
When asked what makes her least proud of her generation, Kendra is concerned about the lack of interest in the subjects of math, science and history. “We are falling behind in these areas, and less and less people are pursuing careers in these fields.”