The last weekend in January was a great one for our local Distinguished Young Women Program.
Our very own Mira Medlin represented the Roanoke Valley at the annual Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina Program in Greensboro.
Mira became Distinguished Young Woman of the Roanoke Valley in June of 2016 and was chosen to move on to the state program.
Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program for senior girls nationwide that allows them to showcase their abilities in the categories of interview, fitness, self-expression, talent and scholastics.
At the local program, Mira won awards in self-expression, fitness, talent and was the overall winner in the interview category.
Since winning the title in June, Mira has been training for the state program and attended a work weekend in Greensboro in November to learn the fitness routine, prepare for the state program and meet the other 16 Distinguished Young Women from around the state of North Carolina.
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The two day showcase began on January 27 as Mira lit up the stage during the opening number to the song A Different Beat by Little Mix.
The theme of this year’s program was Go your own Way.
Mira took center stage again that night and presented an unbelievably difficult and strenuous fitness routine to Just Like Fire by Pink.
Mira’s routine was perfect and the crowd went wild when she performed her solo.
Also that evening Mira competed in the self-expression portion of the competition where she displayed grace under pressure answering a question from the judges.
Mira explained that she believed we are all put here for a purpose and she was able to share her faith as she talked about her path in the future.
The Roanoke Valley cheering section was so supportive and proud.
The second night of the competition was highlighted by Mira’s lyrical dance to Something in the Water by Carrie Underwood.
She wore a dazzling white costume and was able to express her faith and her belief in grace through the high degree of a difficult performance.
Later that evening, the contestants took the stage in their self-expression dresses and Mira looked stunning in a bright coral dress accented with crystals.
She exhibited poise, grace and beauty throughout the entire evening.
Although Mira did not win the overall competition, she represented our area beautifully.
She shared experiences and made friends and that will last a lifetime.
We are all proud of Mira and her accomplishments.
The author, Treva Neville, is co-chair of the Roanoke Valley Distinguished Young Women program