Smith named Distinguished Young Woman of Post Falls

POST FALLS - Seventeen-year-old Lauren Smith, a junior at Post Falls High School, has been dancing ballet for 11 years.

Her experience showed at Saturday night's 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Post Falls contest: With poise and flair, she danced on point to "Kitri Variation from Don Quixote," twirling across the school stage as a panel of judges looked on.

The stakes were high, but Lauren nailed it.

"I felt that (the performance) went better than the dress rehearsal," she said.

Her fitness routine went smoothly; her self-expression statement was delivered with confidence. Even the private interview session - "I was just really nervous," Lauren admitted - was a success.

And when the contest concluded, Lauren was named the 2012 Post Falls Distinguished Young Woman.

"I was kind of in shock," she said of that moment. "It made me very happy."

Lauren's sister, Hailey, was the 2011 Post Falls Junior Miss - the final Junior Miss before the program changed its name to Distinguished Young Women.

Hailey passed the title to her little sister.

"It's kind of fun being back-to-back," Lauren said.

Seventeen young women participated in the Post Falls DYW program this spring. They worked together for four months, rehearsing their talents, practicing their fitness moves and getting to know one another. Relationships took root, and close friendships were forged.

"Really great group of ladies," said Cynthia Keck, the program's co-chair. "Hugely well-supported by the community. The three top girls will do an excellent job of serving our community."

Lauren and two finalists will represent Distinguished Young Women at events around Post Falls, often alongside the city mayor.

"I was just so surprised, because everyone is so amazing," said Shannon Dryden, 17, who was named the First Finalist. "They're just such great girls."

Shannon's talent was music: She played "Colors of the Wind" on piano. The biggest challenge, she said, was speaking on-stage during the self-expression component.

"I'm always really nervous when I talk in front of people. My legs were shaking," Shannon said. "(DYW) taught me to have confidence in myself, and not worry about what other people think."

Donated by local businesses, scholarships totaling $4,700 were doled out Saturday. They ranged from a $250 Talent Award to Lauren's $1,000 scholarship from Knudtsen Chevrolet.

The evening's Second Finalist was 17-year-old Sarah Cooper, who sang "The Only Exception" by Paramore. She described the program as "amazing."

"It was such a great experience working with these girls," Sarah said.

Lauren's DYW career is just warming up. Representing Post Falls, she will travel to Idaho Falls for the Distinguished Young Women 2012 State Finals in October.

"I'm excited for that," Lauren said. "I watched Hailey do hers (last year)."

After her senior year, she plans to attend either Boise State University or the University of Arizona. Her career goals include physical therapy, exercise, nutrition and dance.

"Everyone was so much fun to hang out with," Lauren said of her DYW experience. "The opportunity was really great."