By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Ada Ruth Huntley will participate in the statewide Distinguished Young Women contest Jan. 19-21.

Huntley was selected Chilton County’s Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) for 2017 in July 2016.

Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship for high school girls, according to a press release. The goal of the program is to “promote and reward scholarship, leadership and talent.”

Huntley will compete alongside participants from across Alabama for $41,000 in cash scholarships and more than $2 million in college scholarships, as well as the chance to be the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama.

Huntley reported to Montgomery on Jan. 13 to stay with a host family throughout the week of preparation for the competition. Her roommate for the week was Butler County’s Distinguished Young Woman, Madison Ann Gaston. The week was filled with rehearsals and sightseeing in Montgomery.

Huntley will participate in a ten-minute interview with a panel of judges, have her academic records evaluated, compete in the categories of fitness and poise and compete in the talent portion by playing a piano piece titled “Waves of Fury” by female American composer Melody Bober.

Ada Ruth is the daughter of Tony and Liz Huntley. She is a senior at Chilton County High School and attends church at the World’s Church of the Living God in Clanton.