Distinguished Young Woman program Saturday

OTHELLO — Eight girls will compete for the title of Othello Distinguished Young Woman at the annual pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday at McFarland Middle School, 790 South 10th Ave.

“We’re Going Country” is the title of the 2016 program.

Each girl is interviewed prior to the pageant, and the judges also review each girl’s academic record. The program also includes a group routine and questions for each contestant. Each girl also performs an individual talent routine.

Participants in the 2016 DYW program are Angelica “Jelly” Hernandez, Wendy Rivera, Natalie Provost, Gisselle Moreno, Daisy Alfaro, Claudia Nava, Elizabeth “Liz” Amador and Rael Guerrero.

All are students at Othello High School. All contestants must be high school juniors.

Angelica Hernandez said she hasn’t decided on a college yet, still looking at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Brigham Young University-Idaho and schools for the performing arts. Her interests include singing and she plays volleyball and basketball. During the program she will sing “Oceans,” by Hillsong, a Christian music label.

Wendy Rivera plans to attend CWU, she said. Her interests include reading and babysitting. She's also a dancer, and will perform a hip-hop solo to a remix of “Flawless,” by pop megastar Beyonce.

Natalie Provost said she’s interested in music and acting and likes to cook. She plans to attend BYU-Idaho. She will be singing “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” from the classic Broadway musical “My Fair Lady.”

Gissell Moreno said she’s interested in dancing, and during competition she will perform a solo to “A Thousand Years” by pop singer Christina Perri. She also plays soccer, she said. She plans to attend Colorado State University.

Daisy Alfaro said she likes to cook, and plans to attend Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. She will perform a 1950s-style dance to Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock.” Along with baking and spending time with her family, her interests include bike riding.

Claudia Nava said she plans to attend Eastern Washington University. She’s interested in art, music and math, and she plans to perform a hip-hop dance solo to “Focus” by pop singer Ariana Grande.

Elizabeth Amador likes music and drawing and plays basketball. She will be playing the ukulele and singing “Three Little Birds” by the late musician Bob Marley. She plans to attend Eastern Washington University.

Rael Guerrero also is interested in music, and will perform her version of “Someone Like You” by pop superstar Adele. She also plays softball. She plans to attend the University of Washington.

The Othello Distinguished Young Woman will be among the contestants at the state program, scheduled for summer.