Distinguished Young Woman
Shaleyna
Higgins will take the stage at the Becker
Auditorium one final time on April 30 as the
Distinguished Young Woman of Bonners Ferry to
welcome a new recipient of the title. The past year has brought many opportunities to represent Bonners Ferry and the Distinguished Young Women program. Shaleyna attended numerous parades in the northwest, performed a vocal solo and reading at the Memorial Day ceremony, danced at the local Women in Business Conference, spoke at the opening ceremony of the Boundary County Fair, and served as a judge at the recent Penguin Plunge fundraiser.
Last September, Shaleyna and 39 other representatives from around the state traveled to Pocatello where they spent one week learning routines in preparation for the state competition. The final result was many new friendships, great memories, and character building.
This month brings the end of a great adventure and brings Shaleyna’s Distinguished Young Woman experience full circle, as she helps prepare the current group of participants for the upcoming program.
Shaleyna states, “Before I moved to Bonners Ferry I had never been aware of this amazing program that gives young women the opportunity to expand and grow to be their best selves. I remember talking to my close friends that were participating in the program and hearing all of the fun memories and experiences that they went through. Participating in DYW has been one of the most rewarding and beneficial decisions I have made while in high school. It has given me lifelong friends, the confidence to talk in front of others, the happiness that comes from volunteering and memories that I will never forget. I am so thankful for the Distinguished Young Women program and will be forever grateful that I had this opportunity.”
Shaleyna is the daughter of Barry and Darlene Higgins. She has one sister, Kianna. After graduation, Shaleyna plans to attend Grand Canyon University and double major in Dance and Education.
This year’s program is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Becker Auditorium in Bonners Ferry. Tickets are $12.00 each, and are currently on sale at Mountain Mike’s Health Food Store.