Wiggins Native, Grace Ann Courtney, prepares for Distinguished Young Woman Nationals

WIGGINS, Miss. (WXXV) – Over the summer, Grace Ann Courtney, a Wiggins native and graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi. Now, she’s preparing to take the national stage.

Earlier today, Courtney was celebrated with a heartfelt send-off party hosted by the Stone County Economic Development Partnership as she gears up to compete at the national competition in Mobile, Alabama.

“Scholastics are a huge part of who I am and my daily life,” Courtney said. “I just wanted to put myself out there. I’ve never done anything on this scale before, and I wanted to see if I could succeed.”

That leap of faith paid off, as Courtney captured the judges’ hearts and claimed the state title.

She’ll now represent Mississippi at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals, held June 26–28 at the historic Saenger Theater in Mobile. The national program, formerly known as America’s Junior Miss, features top high school girls from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., competing in five categories: Scholastics, Interview, Talent, Fitness, and Self-Expression.

The winner will earn scholarship funds and the title of Distinguished Young Woman of America.