Tickets to the scholarship program, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 7, can be purchased from the contestants or at the door for $6. Triton’s Performing Arts Center will open at 6:30 p.m., with the program starting at 7.

The four young women will be evaluated by a panel of three judges in the following categories: scholastics (25%), interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%) and self-expression (15%). The winner will join other senior girls from across the state the week of Feb. 11, 2024, to vie for the title of Indiana’s 2024 Distinguished Young Woman.

After all the scores have been tallied during a short intermission, the Triton Distinguished Young Woman board, along with numerous local sponsors, will award $4,000 in scholarships. Preliminary awards include scholastic achievement, fitness, self-expression, talent, Spirit of Junior Miss and interview. Triton’s 2023 Distinguished Young Woman, Anna McIntyre, will return to share her experience, take a final walk and announce the 2024 winner.

The journey will continue for the winner of the state competition at the 67th annual America’s Distinguished Young Women Finals, where she will join 51 other representatives from across the country in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.

The 2024 participants are:

Addyson Viers

Addyson Viers

Addyson Viers is the daughter of Donald and Jamey Baker, of Tippecanoe. Addyson plans to attend the University of Indianapolis with the goal of becoming a general surgeon. Her activities include varsity basketball, varsity volleyball, varsity track, National Honor Society, Spirit Club, Science Club, DECA, Student Council and Art Club. She has volunteered her time with Bre’s Run, Triton Gives Back and Feed My Starving Children. Her achievements include 2023 track state qualifier, 2022 volleyball junior all-star, Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Top 100, Triton’s 2021-22 and 2022-2023 Athlete of the Year, 2022-2023 Academic All-Conference, 2022 Volleyball All-Conference Most Valuable Player, Triton’s 2021 and 2022 Volleyball MVP, Triton’s 2022 and 2023 Basketball MVP, and Academic Top 10. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the ocean, fishing, shopping, playing sports and kayaking. Addyson will perform the “Stop the Bleed” demonstration.

Ciara Howell

Ciara Howell

Ciara Howell is the daughter of Scott and Jillian Howell, of Bourbon. Ciara plans to attend Indiana University with the goal of becoming a dental hygienist. Her activities include varsity cheerleading, varsity track, Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy, Fellowship of Christian Students, Spanish Club, Spirit Club, Yearbook, Art Club and her internship at East Center Dental. She has volunteered her time through peer tutoring, Little League coaching, Triton Gives Back and mini cheer camp, and she helped run a blood drive. Her achievements include Academic All-Conference, Honor Roll Silver Medallion, 8 Point Sport,and Most Spirited Cheerleader. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, shopping, stunting and drinking coffee. Ciara will perform a cheer routine to a remix of the song “Cups” from “Pitch Perfect.”

Jocelynn Faulkner

Jocelynn Faulkner

Jocelynn Faulkner is the daughter of Joel and Justina Faulkner, of Bourbon. Jocelynn plans to attend Grace College with the goal of becoming an emergency room nurse. Throughout high school, Jocelynn has participated in varsity cross country, varsity girls basketball, varsity track, slow pitch softball, Science Club, Spanish Club, Spirit Club, Art Club, Student Council and Kosciusko Youth Leadership Academy. She has volunteered her time through Church Pantry, Church Nursery, as a Sunday school assistant and by helping run concessions during athletic events. Her achievements include Exemplary Behavioral Report from the Indiana High School Athletic Association, semi-state three years in a row for cross country, regional two years in a row for track, Triton’s MVP for track and cross country, All-Conference for Cross Country, All-Conference honorable mention for track and basketball, Family Consumer Science award, Medical Intervention award, and was selected to present her Project Proud publicly. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, learning new things, going on bike rides and hiking. Jocelynn will perform a tap dance to “Shout” by the Isley Brothers.

Cheyenne Hawley

Cheyenne Hawley

Cheyenne Hawley is the daughter of Craig and Serena Hawley, of Plymouth. Cheyenne plans to study agronomy at Oklahoma State University. She has participated in FFA, Triton 4-H Club, National Honor Society, Marshall County Horse Judging Team, Jr. Leaders, Student Council, Spirit Club, Marshall County Food Council, Horse and Pony Club and Swine Club. Her volunteerism includes performing in the Marshall County Neighborhood Center’s “Dancing with the Stars” fundraiser, making tie blankets for Riley’s through FFA, Feed My Starving Children, Marshall County Horse Association Blueberry Shake Stand, and packing military bags during Triton Gives Back. Cheyenne’s achievements include Tennis Academic All-Conference, FFA Hoosier Degree, AQHYA World Judging Champion, Marshall County Neighborhood Center Dancing with the Stars Winner, Marshall County Miss Blueberry, FFA State Crops Judging Top 5, Marshall County 4-H Leadership Ambassador, and Jr. Leaders Service Award. In her spare time, she enjoys horse judging and learning about agronomy. Cheyenne will be reciting the FFA Creed for her on-stage talent.

Finalist And Preliminary Scholarships

• Distinguished Young Woman of Triton 2024: $1,200
• First Runner-Up: $600
• Directors Choice: $300
• Scholastic Achievement: $300
• Interview: $300
• Fitness: $300
• Self-Expression: $300
• Talent: $300
• Spirit of Distinguished Young Woman: $200
• Ticket Sales: $100
• Artistic Ad: $100
• Triton Junior Mister: $200

Additional Information

Distinguished Women of Triton is a not-for-profit organization, with 100 percent of ticket sales and donations from the community going toward the scholarship fund and program’s sustaining fees.

Since its beginning, Junior Miss, now known as Distinguished Young Women, has awarded high school seniors scholarships for their academic and on-stage performances. Each contestant is judged in five categories: scholastic achievement (25%), interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%), and self-expression (15%). Prior to the show a third party tallies each contestant’s scholastic score based on their GPA, SAT and level of class difficulty. The day of the show a panel of judges will spend 10 minutes conducting a personal interview with each contestant. During the show the audience is able to enjoy the 90-second talents, a fitness routine and self-expression portion of judging.

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Its mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corp., John Cauley Jeweler, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.