Shaleyna Higgins 2015 DYW

BONNERS FERRY — The Distinguished Young Women scholarship program was a swashbuckling good time as the nine BFHS juniors presented “The Legend of the Gold Medallion” April 18.

After difficult deliberation to choose between the talented candidates, Shaleyna Dawn Elizabeth Higgins was named 2015-16 Distinguished Young Woman.

Host Mark Peterson, co-anchor of KXLY’s Good Morning Northwest kept the audience laughing with a scurvy pirate accent and a series of off-the-cuff cracks, joined by the senior forget-me-nots.

2014-15 Distinguished Young Woman Mariah Rae was the captain of the “White Pearl” as the Distinguished Young Woman candidates showed they had the mettle to take on the responsibility of The Gold Medallion and the title of Distinguished Young Woman.

The candidates had to show off their fitness with a sword routine to a club remix of “Pirates of the Caribbean” music that was intense enough to make some of the audience members sweat. After the fitness routines, each contestant showcased one of an amazing variety of skills.

Maggie McCoy started with Victorian bouquet making, something she had started after receiving a book on the subject at a young age, she said. Wearing chartreuse rubber gardening boots as she pulled flowers from a pair of pots, McCoy showed why red roses and baby’s breath are a good sign, but yellow roses, thistles and basil send an unpleasant message. Lauren Wages mooned over Paul McCartney, and twisted to a Beetles medley for her talent.

Veronica MacDonald showed her serious, emotional side as she presented a modern dance-inspired lyrical dance to “Latch.”

Chandra Bennett showed off her cheer skills with a pom routine, and the stage lights were dimmed for Samantha Schneider as she showed off her sand animation skills.

A projector was used to reflect images on a large screen behind Schneider, who poured sand on the surface, using her fingers to summon images of on ocean sunset that blended into a woman’s face and finally a pirate ship for the very unique talent presentation.

Shaleyna Higgins showed her balance and poise with an elegant and technical lyrical dance to “River Flows in You.” Alaina Rushing was the only candidate this year who chose to sing, raising her voice with an emotional “I’ll Be There.” Aaliyah Zarate heated up the stage with a sizzling salsa dance in a flowing red dress and Abby Davis closed with a hilarious rhyming ranch-themed poem. In ripped and muddied jeans and flannel, the young cowgirl, who owns a considerable herd of her own cattle, urged audience members to never forget to close the gate.

After a self-expression portion that was thankfully light on prancing, each of the young ladies delivered the final words they would leave as they were walked off the plank. Answers ranged from touching to funny. “Cannonball!” MacDonald finished.

While the judges deliberated, last year’s forget-me-not DYW’s and the young misses, whom the DYW candidates have been mentoring presented a thrilling dance number that told the story of the adventurous pirates making landfall and coming face-to-face with dangerous natives as they searched for the chest containing the gold medallion.

Five judges, Stan Schedler, Monica Newell and Erika Lewis from Coeur d’Alene, Debbie Erby from Hayden and Cassie Lewis, originally from Colfax were on hand to make the difficult decision between the fine candidates.

When it was all said and done, Veronica MacDonald was chosen third runner-up for distinguished young woman and $1,400 scholarship award, Abby Davis was chosen for the Spirit of DYW, $750 scholarship and was second runner-up, which was a $1,600 scholarship, Maggie McCoy was chosen for a scholastics award and $800 scholarship, interview award winner, which came with a $750 scholarship and was first runner-up for a $2,000 scholarship.

Lauren Wages received the “be your best self” award and $750 scholarship, and the second scholastics award for $800.

Shaleyna Higgins was able to outshine the field, (though not a winner among representatives but a representative among winners, DYW says), and was awarded the self-expression category and $750 scholarship, fitness category and $750 scholarship, the talent portion and $750 scholarship and was awarded the title and responsibilities of 2015-16 Distinguished Young Woman, $3,000 scholarship and the opportunity to represent Bonners Ferry at the Sept. 17,18 and 19 Idaho finals.