Jantz named as Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville

Tessa Jantz received the title of the 2017 Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville on Friday night, in front of a nearly sold out crowd in the Ritzville Grade School gymnasium. The two finalists joining her to represent the Ritzville community throughout the upcoming year are Erica Leffel and Kennea Estler-Teal.

Community members, friends and the families of the participants packed into the gymnasium on March 18 to be a part of the annual event and watch another well-executed and prepared program.

With a Cinderella theme, the candidates, escorts, sophomore sisters, and outgoing representatives danced the waltz before encouraging audience members to join them in a dance. The five candidates were Jantz, Leffel, Estler-Teal, Kiley Griffin and Morgan Shields.

After the introductions by the emcees Renae Harder and Kayli Smith, the fitness routine began.

The participants were judged in five categories: fitness, academics, talent, interview and self-expression. The interview portion of the judging was completed in front of a guest panel of judges in the afternoon prior to the event.

During the fitness routine, the three girls individually performed on stage for the judges. The routine had been modified from the 2016 Washington State DYW Program earlier this year, and outgoing Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville Hallie Jo Galbreath instructed the participants in the routine.

After the completion of the fitness routine, the participants prepared to perform their individual talent on stage. The performing arts play a large role in the importance of the DYW program, and the talent portion makes up a significant amount of the judging percentage.

Shields performed a monologue from the movie, “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Jantz took the stage next to perform a jazz dance to the song, “If My Friends Could See Me Now.”

The third candidate, Leffel, danced a graceful pointe dance for her talent. Estler-Teal then took the stage to sing “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

The final candidate to take the stage, Griffin, sang the powerful song “Try”.

After entertainment provided by Galbreath and two other Distinguished Young Women, the candidates returned to the stage for the self-expression portion of the program. The candidates wear formal dresses and walk a set routine on stage, before answering a single impromptu question in front of the audience.

After the successful completion of the self-expression portion, the outgoing DYW representatives took the stage to say farewell and thank the community for their support. The former finalists Samantha Asmussen and Holly Nygren, joined Galbreath in powerful speeches of gratitude to the program, their families and the community.

After an intermission, the audience returned to their seats where they waited in suspense to hear who would be named the Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville. The five candidates gathered on stage with their sophomore sisters, and waited anxiously as the awards were announced.

This year, scholarship money was provided with each of the awards. Shields and Griffin each received a Spirit Award for their enthusiasm and dedication to the program.

Leffel received the Scholastic Award for maintaining an excellent grade point average in high school. The Interview Award was presented to Estler-Teal, for her professionalism and knowledgeable responses during the interview with the judges.

Jantz received the Fitness, Talent and Self-Expression Awards for the evening, and then celebrated with those on stage as first Estler-Teal and Leffel were named finalists, and finally she received the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville.