Mission Possible: Moellmer named DYW 2022
(left to right) Mia Blackmore wins second runner up, Leah Moellmer wins DYW 2022 and Jayden Byars wins first runner up.
(Photo by: EMILY BONSANT)
(center) Leah Moellmer is named DYW 2022. Other participants celebrate and congratulate her.
DYW 2022 participants at the program April 30 in Becker Auditorium.
Grace Worley shows off her strength at the fitness portion of the program.
(top row, Hailey Kelsey, Evelynn Chaney, Leah Moellmer, bottom row, Emma Lucas, Jaden Byars and Majassa Allred) DYW participants during the fitness portion of the program.
Maile Murdock shows off her dance skills with a Tahitian dance during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 scholarship program.
Neveah Elliston shows displays her sense of humor in the comedic musical skit during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Margaret Weaver sings during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Mia Blackmore performs a lyrical dance for the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Hailey Kelsey performs cheer routine as her talent for DYW 2022 program.
Emma Lucas performs a piano solo for the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Evelynn Chaney performs on the trombone during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Majasa Allred shows off her line dancing moves during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
Leah Moellmer wow the crowd with her gymnastics routine during the talent portion of the DYW 2022 program.
2021-'22 Forget Me Nots perform dance routine during the DYW 2022 program.
DYW 2021-'22 Cali Iacolucci recites an original poem at the DYW 2022 program.
Margaret Weaver escorted by her father Adam Weaver at the DYW 2022 program.
Hailey Kelsey escorted by her father Robert Kelsey at the 2022 DYW program.
Mia Blackmore escorted by her father Travis Blackmore at the 2022 DYW program.
(left to right Aleah Clark and Emma Lucas) Emma Lucas receives the Be Your Best Self Award.
(left) Cali Iacolucci bestows the DYW medal to Leah Moellmer.
(left) Cali Iacolucci bestows the DYW medal to Leah Moellmer.
BONNERS FERRY — While all 11 participants are distinguished young women, Leah Moellmer was named Distinguished Young Woman of Bonners Ferry for 2022.
Jaden Byars was named first runner up and Mia Blackmore was named second runner up.
All 11 participants displayed the five elements of the Be Your Best Self Program by being healthy, involved, studious, ambitious and responsible at the 2022 Distinguished Young Women program on April 30. This year the theme was “Mission Possible,” with espionage themes and famous spy movie scores throughout the evening.
Kris Crocker, chief meteorologist of 4 News, returned as the emcee for the night.
After the opening number and participant introductions, the athletic routine began with flying kicks, soaring jumps and feats of balance and strength. From there, the participants presented their talents.
Grace Worley played “10,000 reasons” by Matt Redman on the piano. She said she chose the song due to its attribution of God’s love for mankind.
Maile Murdock rhythmically performed a Tahitain dance in traditional attire, wowing the crowd. She grew up in Hawaii and has been practicing Polynesian dance for years.
Neveah Elliston showed off her sense of humor and musical talent in her comic sketch by playing percussion along to music.
Margaret Weaver said her father’s love for singing has inspired her. She sang an emotional rendition of “Once Upon a Time.”
Mia Blackmore has been dancing since she was 3 years old and performed an impassioned lyrical dance filled with powerful jumps and full movement across the stage.
Emma Lucas performed a piano solo of “The River Flows in You,” by Yiruma, displaying her musicality and poise.
Hailey Kelsey, showed off her cheerleading skills by leading the crowd in a cheer before working into her cheer routine.
Jaden Byars had the crowd roaring with laughter at her comedic juggling routine. She has been juggling since a young age. Byars joked that it is cheaper than therapy. Her routine was filled with quick witty remarks as she kept the crowd’s full attention for the 90 seconds allowed.
Evelynn Chaney said her father bought a trombone at a garage sale one day and she has been hooked ever since. She displayed her musical prowess by a rendition of “Did Your Mother Come from Ireland,” by Bing Crosby.
Marjasa Allred showed off her line dancing moves with lasso in hand and a big smile on her face as she step-touched and grapevined across the stage.
Leah Moellmer displayed her gymnastic skills with a tumbling routine complete with a backflip, handsprings and other complicated aerobatics.
Throughout the night 2021-2022 Forget Me Nots, Isabella Sims, Rose Owens, Aleah Clark, Eika Willis, Reagan Farichild, Elixabeth Bourassa, Camille Ussher and Sierra Petesch made their way on stage performing skits and dance routines.
The 2022 Young Misses also made a guest appearance and Mr. Bonners Ferry High School contestants were found as part of the evil plot in the night’s production of “Mission Possible.”
Judging was based on the following categories: interview 25%, scholastics 25%, talent 20%, fitness 15% and self-expression 15%.
Scholarship recipients
Spirit of DYW: Leah Moellmer
Be Your Best Self: Emma Lucas
Self-Expression: Maile Murdock
Fitness: Mia Blackmore
Talent: Maile Murdock
Scholastics: Mia Blackmore and Leah Moellmer
Interview Neveah Elliston
Second Runner-Up: Mia Blackmore
First Runner-Up: Jaden Byars
DYW 2022: Leah Moellmer.
As the DYW 2022 Leah Moellmer will go on to the Idaho competition in Idaho Falls in October. From there the DYW of Idaho will be decided and will go on to represent Idaho in the national program.
