Moses Lake teen is 'Distinguished Young Woman'
Last year's Distinguished Young Woman of Washington, Rianne Jones, of Moses Lake, poses with this year's Distinguished Young Woman of Washington, Moses Lake's Kendall Earl.
MOSES LAKE - Kendall Earl, Moses Lake's Distinguished Young Woman, is now the Distinguished Young Woman for the state of Washington.
Earl was selected Saturday during the annual program held in Pullman.
Sixteen high school seniors from Washington vied for a share of more than $10,000 in college scholarships and awards.
Earl, a senior at Moses Lake High School, received a $4,000 cash scholarship with her title.
She competed against some incredible young woman and it didn't feel like a competition, she said on Wednesday.
"It was never like a competition because everyone was on the same level," she said. "Everyone was just kind of working toward the same goal. It was really easy to just help each other and be friends. I think we all agreed that no matter who won, we'd be happy about it because we all felt like it was worthy competition."
Earl looks forward to representing Moses Lake in the national competition, held in Mobile, Ala. next June.
"I'm so excited for nationals," she said.
Rianne Jones, who represented Washington at this year's national competition, told Earl about her experience at nationals.
"I thought it sounded like so much fun," said Earl. "The fact that I get to go and be the one to represent Washington is so exciting for me. I really want to do my best so I don't let everyone down."
Earl is the third consecutive contestant from Moses Lake to win the state title.
"There's something in the water here," she said with a laugh.
Shyanne Knighten, of Almira/Coulee-Hartline, won a $250 scholarship in the interview category.