Andalusia High School rising senior Ivy Rogers was crowned as the 2024 Outstanding Young Woman in Covington County on the 15th of July, on a Saturday.
This year’s competition featuring the “Defining the Moments” theme took place in LBW Community College in the Martha and Solon Dixon Center for the Performing Arts. Rogers received her prize of the 2023 DYW Winner Grace Shellhouse.
“It matters a lot to my heart to have been named the Covington County’s Outstanding Young Woman of 2024.” Rogers said. “I was a child watching the show, watching the girls who were selected go on to state and watching them develop into successful people. I was aware at an early age that I would like to be in this competition. I was shy and had difficulty in expressing myself. However, the process of preparing for it and then being a winner has given me new confidence. I’ve realized that the label you are given (for me that was shy) doesn’t determine who you are, but rather who you think you are. Work hard and you are able to show anyone who is wrong.”
Rogers said that the contest was a fun experience.
“This year was an absolute blast. I had a full week practicing with all the competitors. Every girl was so nice and encouraging to one another in a highly competitive setting. On stage, we were having fun, singing as we helped one another get ready as well as wishing one another good luck prior to a person taking the stage to showcase their talents or fitness. I created so many memories and friendships.”
She consulted the community and pondered two of the most important requirements for DYW prior to the contest.
“I mostly prepared myself by conducting mock interviews with a few locals. I also conducted research on politics in my spare time. I was aware that the importance of public speaking and interviewing as crucial elements for DYW and I was determined to gain as much experience as I could with those aspects.”
Her talent was jazz and ballet dancer on pointe to “Last Dance” by Donna Summers.
“My mom was the one who took me to the dance class when I turned only four. Since then it became a favorite for me because I’ve always been fascinated by music, and was beginning to to perform to the music. Ballet has been an integral part of my life since I perform it all the time and I chose to perform dance in order to show my talents. I choreographed the bulk of the work by myself and then I enlisted Mr. Jose Soares and Emily Anne Morgan to assist me with the choreography. I also created my costume myself with assistance by my seamstress Liz Jones,” she stated.
Rogers is eager to see what happens as her last academic year in Andalusia closes in.
“I’m eager to experience all the finals that I’ll be able to enjoy: my final season as a majorette my final homecoming, Memolusia and being part of a variety of clubs. I’m sure my senior year will be an absolute blast.”
While she is planning to pursue an occupation in medicine however, she is not yet certain about where she’ll pursue her studies.
“I intend to pursue a degree into biomedical science and maybe dual majoring in dance and dance. I’d like to be dermatologist one day. I’m still not making an official decision about a school however Alabama or Auburn are in my sights,” Rogers said.
She expressed her gratitude to her family and friends who helped her reach the point she is at in her life.
“My close family members and my friends have watched me through the most difficult of lows and believed in my ability to achieve this. Even when I thought I could not be able to, they were there to cheer me on. I am grateful to my dad, mom and my sister for supporting me on a Saturday and carrying me the burden and rollercoaster of emotions I went through the entire week. They merit their own awards, as well.”
Rogers advised any juniors who are about to enter the competition to compete in the event.
“Do not be scared to sign for the program. There are a few elements of the program that might not like. These were certainly present for me, but you will not be disappointed by the effort you did to the program. You’ll leave this program having a fresh sparkle. This program is challenging to be uncomfortable, but getting comfortable in uncomfortable situations is the most valuable lesson you’ll be taught,” she said.
Her parents are Scott Rogers and Tina Rogers and has a younger sister, Alice.
Others 2024 Covington county award winners are:
- First Alternate Ava Tomberlin
- The Second Alternative: Cape Merrell
- Third Alternate: Liz Ann Jackson
- Fourth Alternate: Anna Martin
- The Rising Stars: Summer Killough and Kylie Waters
- Be Your Most Self-Assured Essay: Emmy Mixson and Madison Castleberry
- The Spirit of DYW: Ava Tomberlin, Sam Lawson, and Liz Ann Jackson
- Health: Katie Kennedy and Ainsley Ricks
- Self-Expression Ava Tomberlin and Madison Castleberry
- Talents: Aubrey Pittman and Ivy Rogers
- Scholastic: Emmy Mixson and Cape Merrell
- Interview with Cape Merrell and Ava Tomberlin
The article Galerie: Rogers awarded 2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Covington County title appeared first on The Andalusia Star-News.
