By June Mathews
BIRMINGHAM – When the Distinguished Young Women Program of Jefferson County (formerly known as Junior Miss) takes place July 17 & 18 at Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall, two Tribune-area young women, Lauren Sizemore of Trussville and Regan Patterson of Pinson, will be among the 25 high school senior girls competing.
Representing 11 schools across Jefferson County. the contestants will vie for cash-tuition and college-granted scholarships, as well as the opportunity to represent Jefferson County in the Distinguished Young Women Program of Alabama in Montgomery next January. Competition will include onstage appearances in talent, fitness and self-expression categories.
Lauren, the daughter of Scott & Tere Sizemore, is a student at Crossroads Christian School who plans to attend Samford University to prepare for a career in early childhood education. Her talent for the program is a vocal selection, “I Wonder.”
Lauren’s extracurricular activities include serving as Key Club president and the editor-in-chief of her school’s yearbook. She has been named Volunteer of the Year at Birmingham Zoo, is in advanced placement at En-Pointe Ballet, serves as an advanced math peer tutor and was a 2014-15 representative in the Key Club International House of Delegates.
Regan, a student at Clay-Chalkville High School, is the daughter of Sonja and Reginald Patterson. Her college preference is Louisiana State University, where she is interested in studying to become either a news anchor or a speech pathologist. Her talent for the program will be dance.
Regan’s extracurricular activities include National Honors Society, the Clay-Chalkville High School Golf Team, the Torrid Elite All-Stars Dance Team, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Legacy Program, Delta Gems and student government.
Hannah Walter of Vestavia is the current Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County.
Tickets to the pageant may be purchased through any participant or at the Samford University Wright Center box office each evening one hour prior to each performance, or by calling 907-0210.