TENNESSEE DISTINGUISHED Young Woman, Lexee Hill of Rhea County, second from left, was the guest speaker at Thursday’s Cleveland Kiwanis Club luncheon. With the state honoree are Kiwanis program chairman Adam Lowe, left, Kiwanis President Leigh Ann Boyd, and co-chairperson of the state women’s program, Traci Fant.
Accompanied by Traci Fant, state co-chairperson of the Distinguished Young Woman’s program, the current state honoree praised the program and how much it gives to young women. In addition to winning the state title, which previously was the Junior Miss program, the Rhea County student also won the Expression and Interview awards in state competition.
She focused on the fact that she has been able to attend other prestigious events. She participated in Volunteer Girls State and attended a National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
“The journey started last year, but it’s been like forever,” she said. “I’ve met many amazing young women. The visit to the national Capitol fulfilled one of my dreams, and I now know there’s no bounds to where I can go.”
The Rhea County High School senior has accumulated approximately $10,000 in scholarship money from her competition and will attend the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She plans to be an attorney in the future.
The Distinguished Young Woman continued to praises the program. “I feel so great when a girl signs up for this program,” she said. “I’m not a different person, but it helps to show what is inside of me.”
“It’s a great program for you to support,” she told Kiwanis Club members.
Lexee said one of toughest things in state competition was the interview process. “It’s only about 10 minutes, but the judges ask some hard questions. For me, it was about my community.”
Asked about her toughest question, she said the judges ask her what five things she would list on a billboard about her community. “I couldn’t answer the question,” she said. “I live in Dayton. We don’t have five things for me to list!”
The state honoree is a leader on the Rhea County High School cheerleading squad, and plans to do a cheer routine for her talent in national Distinguished Young Women’s competition.
Asked about who has had the most influence in her life, she said it has to be Rhea County educator Amy Smith. “She was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but still attended all of her childrens’ events and did fundraising for the Distinguished Young Woman program,” she said. “She is an amazing person, and if I need someone to talk to I know I can call her.”
Asked about problems young women face, Lexee said bullying continues to be a problem in high school, although she has progressed past it with the confidence she has gained in the Distinguished Young Woman’s program.
She said she once couldn’t order a pizza and toppings because of uncertainity and a lack of confidence. “Now I want every young woman to the point where they believe in themselves,” she said.
Quizzed about what it takes to become a pageant winner, she said, “You’ve got to be yourself. Still, there’s no one equation for a winner.”‘
Lexee was asked what question she would like to be asked, but never was. “I’ve never once been asked about my favorite book, author or play,” she said.
Hill and Fant said there is more than $100,000 in scholarship money available in the national competition this year. “That’s incredible,” said Tennessee’s Distinguished Young Woman. “It’s money to enable young women to attend college.”
Asked about the development of her public speaking abilities, which impressed Kiwanis members, she said it’s a continual growth of confidence.
A final question was about her favorite TV lawyer, since she wants to go into the legal professional in the future. “It has to be El Woods,” she said of the character in the “Legally Blond” movie.
Kiwanis notes:
- Club members were reminded that Friday, May 18, is Kiwanis Night at Evening Shade. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. at Johnston Park in downtown Cleveland.
- Kiwanis Club members will be meeting with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs at 8 a.m. Saturday for community service projects. Participants will meet at the Tucket Unit downtown.
- Traci Hamilton is coordinating a flowers for Mother’s Day fundraiser for the club.
- Club member and Extension Agent Kaye Smith reminded club members of the 4-H Club History Fair Saturday at Bradley Square Mall.
- Thursday, May 24, will be a big day for the club. It will be the annual “Bring a Guest to Kiwanis Day.” This is an opportunity to invite prospective members.
- A Cleveland High School Key Club meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10.
- Nominations have been compiled for this year’s slate of officers. Others can be nominated on election day. Nominees include Matt Tolbert for president, Chris Newton as president-elect, Bruce Bradford as vice president, Kathy Austin to continue as secretary-treasurer, and a full slate of directors.
