Miller Named 2016 Triton Junior Miss
BOURBON — Alexis Marie Miller, 17, was named the 2016 Triton Junior Miss during the 52nd Distinguished Young Woman of Triton competition Saturday evening, at Triton High School. She will participate in the Indiana Distinguished Young Woman competition in February.
Miller is the daughter of Ken and Nancy Miller, Bourbon. She plans to attend Purdue University and study biomedical engineering. Her activities include National Honor Society, Senior Leadership Team, youth group, worship team and participating in school musicals and plays.
She has volunteered her time to Habitat for Humanity, a benefit concert for anti-bullying, a Sunday school assistant and recently began tutoring. She enjoys reading, singing, playing the piano, spending time with nieces and nephews and watching crime shows.
As the winner, she received a $1,000 scholarship, plaque and roses and several gift certificates. She also received the $200 Scholastic Cchievement and $200 Talent awards.
During the evening’s competition, Miller’s talent presentation included the playing of “Fur Elise” in a piano solo. The self-expression portion required each contestant to to respond to the question “What famous person from Indiana to you admire and why.” Miller’s choice was Wilbur Wright, noting his use of scientific methods and continual trying of those methods led to the airplane.
Brooklyn Rene Beatty, daughter of Brad and Erin Beatty, Etna Green, was first runner-up receiving a $500 scholarship.
Brooklyn Alexis Bitting, daughter of Courtney and Jamie Bitting, Etna Green, was second runner-up receiving a $400 scholarship. She also won the $200 self-expression award.
Brianna Nicole Nolan, daughter of Chad and Tiffany Nolin, Warsaw, and Amy and Angel Spencerman, Bourbon, was third runner-up and recipient of a $300 scholarship.
Other winners of the preliminary awards were:
Jaela Claire Meister, daughter of Ryan and Carmen Meister, Bourbon, receiving the $200 fitness award, a $100 scholarship for ticket sales and $100 scholarship for the poster contest.
Kala Marie Morris, daughter of Mark Morris, Goshen, and Jamie Gift, South Bend, received the $200 Spirit of Junior Miss Scholarship.
Katie Anne Marie Lenker, daughter of Tom Kenker, Plymouth and Jon and Angela Day, Bourbon, also received the $100 Poster Contest scholarship.
Kayla Ranae Kreft, daughter of Tim and Lisa Kreft, Tippecanoe, received a $100 scholarship for participation.
The evening competition included self-expression, 90 second talent presentation, and a fitness presentation. The talent presentation included solos in vocal and piano, guitar/vocal, jazz dance and routines in longboard, jump rope and color guard flag. A special entertainment presentation was given by Kylie Mason, the 2015 Triton Junior Miss dribbling basketballs to music.
Brent Motz was the winner of the Triton Junior Mister competition and recipient of a $100 scholarship. Three contests narrowed the field of seven male high school seniors to the winner.
The National Distinguished Young Woman program has impacted lives of young women. There are still 18 local programs in Indiana and over 180 contestants compete in the programs. There are nearly $70,000 in cash scholarships offered in Indiana and approximately $22,000 at the state level. Since its inception the program has provided over $15 million in college scholarships for Indiana contestants.