The 2026 class of Cumberland Valley and Tullahoma Distinguished Young Women is inviting the public to attend this year’s program on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Tullahoma High School Auditorium.

The Distinguished Young Women program is a scholarship competition for young ladies in their junior year of high school. The Cumberland Valley and Tullahoma program has become one of the nation’s most successful local programs and are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year. Over the past 20 years, the program has had one national winner and six state winners. To date, Tullahoma High School juniors have earned over $340,000 in cash scholarships as a result of this program.

This year’s program features 12 outstanding young women who are leaders among the junior class of Tullahoma High School. Distinguished Young Women evaluates the participants on their official school transcripts, a formal interview with a panel of judges, a fitness routine, a self-expression presentation, and a talent showcase in which each participant demonstrates her most outstanding talent.

Participating in this year’s program are: Sarah Bond, Kailyn Hasty, Jossalyn Garcia, Claire Hargrove, Maggie Lynch, Karli McLaughlin, Lauren Nichols, Hope Thomas, Avery Sisk, Ava O’Neil, Lillian Villamar, and Callie West. Each participant has chosen a “little sister” to support her during the program. This year’s little sisters are: Lily Duckworth, Katelyn Bratcher, Brindley Duncan, Marlee Chessor, Emily Bell, Mary Pierce Jordan, Katie Grace Nichols, Emma Cagianese, Harper McShea, Valerie Pacheco, Charlotte Ponder, and Maddie West.

Past state winner, Amy Pham, will serve as the Master of Ceremony for the evening. The 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Tullahoma, Audrey Sohrabi, and the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Cumberland Valley, Zamahria Simmons, will be relinquishing their titles at Saturday’s program.

This program is made possible through a large committee of volunteers. Joann Crabtree, Chelsy Campbell, Kristen Carroll, and Macy Marin Olive serve as local directors of the program. Janet Cunningham is judges’ chairperson with Charlotte Williams serving as auditor and Dr. Shannon Duncan is the program’s academic advisor. Kristen Carroll serves as the program’s choreographer. Working behind the scenes is Social Media Director Macy Marin Olive with Hannah Luthi serving as the program’s official photographer. Emily Edmundson, Cindy Marin,

Jessica Mabe, Megan Hardy, Gigi Robison, Grayson Cadman, Lisa Fiala, Sarah Carter, Aimee Whitt, and Madison Dochety serve as committee members.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door of the high school on the night of the event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Program books will be available for purchase for $5 each. Tullahoma High School staff and administrators, as well as all previous participants lovingly known as “Has-Beens,” are encouraged to attend as program guests.

Because the 2026 Cumberland Valley/Tullahoma Distinguished Young Women’s program would not be possible without much support, we would like to say thank you to the following sponsors:

Platinum: Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital; Dan and Fran Marcum

Gold: “The Atlantic” Venue; Russell Barnett Ford of Tullahoma; El Costal; Lester Greene McCord & Thoma Insurance; Belles and Beaus; Chick-fil-A Tullahoma; Nichols Oral and Facial Surgery; Local Market; Inline Lighting; Sushi Thai Tullahoma; GNC; The Hardy Group; The Surgical Group of Tullahoma; Dr. Martin and Lisa Fiala; amentum; Citizens Tri County Bank; Jordan and Ginger Ennis

Silver: Dr. Keith and Gigi Robison; Traders Bank; Winchester Upholstery; Grandparents of Maggie Lynch; and Threads TN Screen Printing and Embroidery

Bronze: Camino Real Mexican Restaurant; Duck River Garage Doors; Coffee County Bank; Huff & Puff Trucking, Inc.; Rafael’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant

A special thanks to: Dr. Catherine Stevens, THS Principal Greg English, Brooke Shasteen, Rachel Hinson, Benjamin Spurlock, Melissa Hinds, Sharon Woodard, Bonnie Levi, THS Maintenance Staff, Dennie Crabtree, Marty Fiala, Jared Olive, Rey Marin, Julie Christopher, Laura Noe, Ginger Ennis, Hannah Chessor, Derek Swiger and Karen Lawson, Tennessee State Chairperson, for their continued support of the program.