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Distinguished   Young Women

of Lee County

Lovie Hardin

DYW requires that participants compete in five major categories: scholasticism, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. I was awarded scholarships to multiple colleges and given an incredible opportunity to perform with like-minded girls.

Lovie Hardin in Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin with Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin Competes in Fitness Challenge in Lee County's DYW

I attended workshops within the DYW program that were designed to help prepare participants for the fitness routine and competition as a whole. 

1. Opening Number

Lovie Hardin Opening Number in Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin in Opening Number in Lee County's DYW

2. Fitness

Lovie Hardin in Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin Competes in Fitness Challenge in Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin Competes in Fitness Challenge in Lee County's DYW
Lovie Hardin Competes in Fitness Challenge in Lee County's DYW

The opening number and fitness routine were the most challenging parts about DYW for me. The dance experience I had prior to the competition was a summer ballet class in the 4th grade, and that was nothing compared to the routines I learned to perform on stage for DYW. With a great deal of determination, I learned multiple dance moves and exercises for competition week.

3. Talent

Lovie Hardin Performing The Daisies in DYW
Lovie Hardin in DYW

I spent weeks preparing for the talent portion of the competition. Each participant was allowed 90 seconds to show their talent, and I sang the classical piece "The Daisies" by Samuel Barber.

Listen to the song here.

4. Self Expression

Lovie Hardin in DYW

The Self Expression category requires that each participant answers the given question on stage. On the night of the competition, I was asked, "If you could put any woman on the $10 bill, who would you choose and why?"

Lovie Hardin in DYW

My Answer:

"I would like to see Ella Fitzgerald on the $10 bill. She was a musician as well as an activist and won the presidential medal of freedom. This rare award is given to honor those who have made significant contributions to the United States. A large part of her contribution was culture.

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'She helped define the role of jazz music and show a balance between politics and music. I believe this connects to me personally in my love for music, and I believe she could demonstrate the powerful but humble approach to politics this country should represent."

5. Awards

Lovie Hardin in DYW

To all of the businesses and individuals that sponsored me in this program:

Thank you so much for believing in me.

Business Sponsors

Almost Anything: Aaron Bushey $500

Southeastern Land Group: John Hardin $250

Trinity Christian School $200

Cheryl Mann Hardin Artwork: $100

Smith T Hardware: Dozier Smith T $100

Sprayberry Orthodontics: $100

Individual Sponsors

  • Melea Burney

  • Christina Miller

  • Elizabeth Johnson

  • Nate Livingston

  • Noah Gray

  • Maggie Walker

  • Preslee McGough

  • Madelyn Tarvin

  • Kylee Lynn

  • The Blackstock Family

  • The Boone Family

  • Lucy Zellner

  • Smith T Family

  • Thomas Smith

  • Nathanial and Emmory Pitt

  • Phoebe Henderson

  • Aaron, Wendy, and Mason Bushey

  • Matt Holder

  • Ed and Lila Hardin

  • Jerry and Kay Turner

  • Kenzie, Trenton, and Julianna Anderson

  • Kevin and Jessica Anderson

  • Rachel Pair

  • Lucy Ward

  • Linda, Lucy, and Ricky Ruth

  • Abigail Gaston

  • Susan Haines

  • Lorna Wood

  • Joshua and Olivia Wolanek

  • Chip Mayfield & Family

  • Anita and Abby Lou Silvestri $100

  • Mac and Judy McClinton

  • Tim and Sydney McClinton

  • Daniel Stith

  • Dave and Kelly Milton

  • Wayne and Mary Alderman

  • Bill and Cheryl Hardin $100

  • John and Heather Hardin

  • Claire and Katherine Hardin

  • Larry and Gina Cornelius

  • Matthew Cornelius

  • Micah Coxwell

  • Leah and Lydia Glaze

  • Alivia Jowers

  • Yvette Lowe

  • The Morris Family

  • Scott and Beth Sprayberry

  • Melissa Carpenter

  • Lucy Anderson

  • Hunter Price

  • Jessie Osborne

  • Will Rhodes

  • Addison Young

  • Joshua Washburn

  • Miller Wilson

  • Phil, Sandra, and Cowboy Clark-Lewis

  • George Mann

  • Langley Lunsford

  • Jonathan Davis

  • Stephen Shropshire

  • Campbell Compton

  • Jonathan Davis

  • Grace Roberts

  • Matt and Sarah Nunnelly

  • Francie Tillman

  • Sedessie Harris

  • Auburn Harris

  • Ron Harris

  • Elodie Wacaster

  • Melea Burney

  • Aidan Burney

  • Collin Burney

  • Amy Burney

  • Julie Sears

  • Trinette James

  • Brian James

  • Greg Sears

  • Jordyn James

  • Brylen James

  • Julia Bardwell

  • Erin Irby

  • Kramer Irby

  • Sam Burney

  • Duke Bardwell

  • Rebecca Bardwell

  • TK Bardwell

  • Trish Bardwell

  • Todd Wacaster

  • Rick Burney

  • Brian and Sarah Watts

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