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Andalusia High School rising senior Marion Starnes is the new 2022 Distinguished Young Woman of Covington County.

Starnes described her experience as amazing and said it was one of the best weeks ever. “I would strongly encourage any other young ladies who are considering participating to go for it. I am also very grateful to have such an amazing group of girls that I can now call my sisters. This week has truly created so many strong bonds. It was so much fun!”

She said she practiced a lot for the interview process and her talent, which was performing speed painting to “Swan Lake Theme” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. “I probably painted that swan 100 times! I also had my family ask me lots of interview questions leading up to the big day.” Starnes chose speed painting as her talent because her mother paints and she has grown up around art. “I felt like it was a talent that was a good representation of who I am. I felt most comfortable doing something I am so familiar with. I also wanted to be unique and memorable,” she said.

Starnes is involved in a number of activities at Andalusia and looks forward to her senior year. “My friend Anna and I are going to be co-captains of the color guard this upcoming year. I am so excited to see what this year will bring for us and also what opportunities I will have through DYW. I can’t wait for the state program!”

After graduation, she has plans to attend Auburn University and become an orthodontist. She said, “I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field but was not exactly sure where. Dr. Kim Ward is my orthodontist, and she has inspired me to pursue a career as an orthodontist as well. I want to go to Auburn because it has a reputation for being a great school, and it’s not too far away.”

Starnes is the daughter of Van and Lynn Starnes. “I have a close relationship with my family, and I’m sure I’ll be coming back home to visit often,” she said.

Other award winners from the 2022 Covington County DYW event are as follows:

• Be Your Best Self Essay: Kate Day
• Spirit of DYW: Amanda Majors and Pippin Turman
• Fitness: Gracie Burkett
• Self-Expression: Callie Caldwell
• Talent: Gracie Burkett
• Scholastic: Marion Starnes
• Third Alternate: Anna Duffy
• Second Alternate: Callie Caldwell
• First Alternate: Kate Day