May 15, 2020

Dayton, TN --   Halleigh Phelps is daughter of Breanne Beene & Billy Phelps.  She has sister Madisyn Beene and brothers Parker and  Cooper Beene.  She attended Rhea Central Elementary, Rhea Middle School before attending Rhea County High School.  Her talent is a CrossFit routine.  She has been training in crossfit for about two years.  She plans to go to the University of Tennessee Knoxville and study political science. Halleigh and her fellow competitiors will compete privately at Rudd Auditorium.  Distinguished Young Woman Program will have minimal staff due to gathering restrictiosn around covid-19.  There will be videorgapher, sound and then only five competitors at a time.  The girls will compete on May 16th and then judges will view vidoes and do live interviews, one on one.  On May 17th the new Distinguished Young Woman will be crowned by last years winner, Maddie Smith. Halleigh answered a few question about her schools, youth and the DYW program. Who was your favorite teacher? "Mike Kinney was my favorite teacher. What portion of the DYW makes you the most nervous? "For me it is performing the talent portion." Have you competed in any program like the DYW program before? "No, I have not done anything like this before." Do you have a favorite bible verse or quote?“ There is no room in love for fear” 1 John 4:18." How has covid-19 shutting down your school in senior year affected your senior memories?" It has made me miss spending time with this year’s seniors during the school year, but I’ve also been able spend more time with family because of COVID-19." How has the change in format with no audience affected your approach to DYW? "I wasn’t too disappointed.  I think it’s made it less pressure with no audience, though I wish my family could see a live performance." What ares some of your interests and hobbies? "I like to exercise, like CrossFit, and draw." What was the primary reason you chose to participate in the DYW program? "I decided to do it for the experience and friendship I could gain." Has the free time from not attending school provided you with opportunity to reestablish an old hobby/interest or begin a new one? "I’ve been able to paint again in my free time." If you could choose a different talent than the ones you have, which one would it be? "I think I would want to do piano." Why should next year's juniors participate in the DYW program? "Juniors next year should do DYW because of how much fun it has been and how connected you can be with the other girls in the program." What is your favorite song and book? My favorite song is “More than My Hometown” and my favorite book is Pride and Prejudice."