Sadie Willis will head to Meridian next week to represent Marion County at the Mississippi Distinguished Young Woman scholarship competition.
Willis, the daughter of Shannon and Gidget Willis of Columbia, will take part in the annual event from July 13 through July 15, at the Evangel Temple and vie for more than $35,000 in state-level scholarships. Nationally, more than $1 billon worth of scholarships are available. One Mississippi contestant will advance to the national competition in Mobile, Ala., where a $125,000 scholarship will be given away.
Willis said she has been busy preparing to compete.
“I’ve been doing a lot of news watching, a lot of trying to be involved the community through church and school,” she said. “I’ve also been piled up with a lot of sports. I’ve been trying to manage all of it.”
The competition involves several different phases that Willis has been busy preparing for.
“There is a fitness portion, self expression, talent and an interview,” she said. “There is also a fitness routine. It is very intense. It can go from three to 15 minutes and you’re working out the whole time. Self expression is a dance that we learn when we get to Meridian. My talent is the same that I did here in Marion County for the competition. I’m singing ‘What a Beautiful Name,’ by Hillsong Worship. It will be accompanied by their track.”
Willis will be busy this week preparing and packing for Meridian.
“I leave on July 9 and the competition actually starts on the 13th and goes the 13th, 14th and 15th,” she said. “Between July 9 and 15 I’ll be with my host family and the other contestants trying to get to know them and build relationships.”
Willis has also been in communication with her host family.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “It’s their first time doing this, too.”
Contestants will also do a variety of volunteer activities while in Meridian, according to Willis.
“We’re doing a town fair and we’re also going Love’s Kitchen where we will be serving lunches,” she said. “I’m excited about everything.”
Willis said she’s received a lot of support since claiming the title of Marion County’s Distinguished Young Woman in January.
“Everybody’s being really supportive,” she said “Our little sweet small town is really supporting me is I got to represent them as Marion County’s Distinguished Young Woman.”
Thirty-two contestants will head to Meridian to compete, according to Willis.
“I’m very excited and can’t wait to represent Marion County,” she concluded.
To send good luck wishes to Willis, email sadieruthw@gmail.com or mail to 2106 Ridgewood Drive, Columbia.
Pictured Above: Marion County’s Distinguished Young Woman Sadie Willis will head to Meridian to compete in the statewide scholarship competition next week. | Photo by Mark Rogers
