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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Lynn Stamps, a rising senior at Chilton County High School, has been selected as the next Distinguished Young Woman of Chilton County.

The competition is a scholarship program with a local, state and national level.

“I am really looking forward to state, which will be in January, because I am excited to meet all of the other girls … and just be able to meet new friends there,” Stamps said.

During the local competition, Stamps secured $3,650 in scholarships. This included funds for being the overall winner as well as winning the scholastic and self-expression portions and the Be Your Best Self essay contest.

“It was a really great opportunity,” Stamps said.

The Spirit Award is usually chosen by the participants. However, this year, Stamps said, “the four of us got the Spirit Award because we all decided we didn’t want to vote for each other because we were all really close with each other.”

She decided to participate in the program after a friend from band competed last year.

“I liked that we all knew each other … we were all really good friends with each other,” Stamps said. “I liked how all of the people who were over it were very friendly and welcoming. It was just a very good environment to be in.”

Participants are scored in multiple categories: self-expression, talent, fitness, academics and interview.

Self-expression requires participants to answer an on-stage question. Stamps was asked what she was most passionate about and why.

“I said that I am most passionate about helping others and putting others before myself because my dad … he was a pastor and a teacher, so he always had the morals instilled that you put others before yourself and help others before you ask for help in return,” Stamps said. “… That is something that I want to do. Even in my future, I plan to go into pharmaceutical research and try to follow along the path of helping others.”

She plans to attend either Auburn University or Samford University. Stamps will be jump starting her career goals by taking pharmacy technician classes at LeCroy Career Technical Center this school year.

“I’m really excited for it,” Stamps said.

It was the fitness category of the competition which gave Stamps some concern.

“I am not the most flexible person, and some of the things that we had to do were very hard for me,” Stamps said. “But I practiced a lot, and I think that’s what ended up giving me the upper edge.”

For her talent, Stamps played a classical piece on her French horn. Stamps has played the instrument for six years. She is in the CCHS marching band, and she will be drum major this year.

“I’m really excited about that, too,” Stamps said.

In preparation for state, Stamps is establishing a fitness routine and has joined a local fitness center.

She will also be working with Walter Hayden to prepare for the interview and Leslie Deavers to prepare for singing as her talent.

During her year as DYW of Chilton County, she will also be volunteering in the community and securing sponsorships for going to state.