Fourteen young women representing their high schools from Bradford and Sullivan Counties will take the stage to participate in the “Accent on Achievement” program. These young ladies will be judged and awarded scholarships in five categories: scholarship and achievement, interview, performing arts, aerobics and fitness, and presence and presentation. Each category is equal in value so that a well-rounded young woman is chosen as the representative. This year’s finalists will be vying for a little over $14,000 in total cash scholarship monies.
Scholarships will also be awarded to the first through fourth runner up winners, along with the 2022 Outstanding Young Woman. The finalists themselves will gift the “Keystone Award” to the young lady within their group that best exemplifies the spirit of the program.
One finalist will be chosen as the recipient of the Pat Parsons Spirit Award. This award was created by and funded by OYW committee members in memory and celebration of Pat Parsons’ commitment to the Outstanding Young Woman organization. The recipient will be selected by current committee members.
The Sue Stanton Community Service award is a testament to Sue Stanton’s avid support of the Junior Miss and OYW scholarship programs. The award recipient is selected by Sue’s family and is the finalist who has dedicated exceptional time and effort to a variety of community service activities, above and beyond expectation, and has made an impact on the lives of others.
The Scott Wilcox Memorial Award, sponsored by The EDGE and Average Tim’s Gym, will be given to the finalist who best exemplifies the qualities that he recognized and respected in fellow athletes, such as hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Chosen by Scott’s family, the recipient demonstrates the value of strength and conditioning, and strives to maintain a competitive edge by staying physically healthy and active.
This year’s co-host, Corrin Binford Jones, was the 2012 Outstanding Young Woman and represented Troy Area High School. She also received the Keystone Award, Pat Parsons Spirit Award, Fitness Award, Interview Award and the Presence and Presentation Award.
Corrin attended The Pennsylvania State University where she received a Bachelors Degree in Communications with a minor in Communication Arts and Sciences. At Penn State she was involved in Student Government, The Centre County Report and Enactus, which shares a mission of creating a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.
Upon graduation, Corrin moved to the Washington D.C. area to work for the Bozzuto Group as a Sales and Marketing Associate for their luxury high rise communities. She currently works for Red River Technology Inc. as their Digital Media Manager and is responsible for running end to end digital marketing strategy that is cohesive and consistent across all their digital channels (Website/SEO/PPC/Digital Marketing/ Blog/Social/YouTube). In 2019, she started a side business called SWAE Media providing videography services for weddings and events.
Throughout her years, she has been involved in several volunteer opportunities but most recently by raising over $200,000 in 2021 with 11 of her coworkers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and home renovation projects.
Ending her reign, 2021 Outstanding Young Woman Catherine Brown has made several appearances on behalf of the OYW program. She presented her “On Your Way - To A Better You” program to a group of Wyalusing Girl Scouts. The purpose of her presentation was to discuss how goal setting, a positive attitude, physical fitness, good morals and learning can help create a better version of oneself.
Catherine also volunteered at the Relay for Life of Bradford County, was a guest speaker at the Towanda Lions Club meeting and participated in the Wyalusing Fireman’s parade. She also spent time reciting Christmas poems with Mrs. Claus for the Chamber during their virtual holiday event.
Prior to and during her year as the Outstanding Young Woman, Catherine represented Wyalusing Valley Jr./Sr. High School. While in high school, Catherine participated in Leo Club, Student Council, Scholarship Challenge, and Track and Field, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a three-time qualifier for state FBLA, salutatorian of her class, and was consistently on the high honor roll. Catherine served as Senior Class President, and was active in Senior Chorus and the School Safety Team. Captain of the basketball and cross country teams, she was a four-time state qualifier and two-time district champion in cross country. Rounding out her activities, Catherine was an altar server at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, and a school board representative for Wyalusing High School.
Catherine was the recipient of several senior year awards, including Female Athlete of the Year, NTL Female Student-Athlete of the Year, the Joseph Every Scholarship, Kenneth and Caroline Taylor Scholarship, Lions Club Scholarship, Max P. Gannon Scholarship, Wyalusing Area Education Foundation Scholarship, Guthrie Healthcare Scholarship, Guthrie Federal Credit Union Scholarship, the Alice Miller Scholarship, Learning Forward Scholarship, Chris and Tracy Keeney Scholarship, and the Endless Mountains Primitive Outdoorsman Scholarship.
Catherine is currently attending the University of Pittsburgh, with a major in Nursing.
The theme of this year’s accent on achievement program is “Celebrating Our Gratitude.” This theme was chosen as a tribute to the local businesses and community members who have maintained their support and commitment to the Outstanding Young Woman program during the challenging events of the past year and a half.
Tickets are currently on sale for $8 each on a pre-pay, pre-pickup basis and may be purchased from any of the finalists, or at the following locations: G & H Floor and Wallcovering (Wysox), Miller’s Pharmacy (Wyalusing), Bert’s Pharmacy (Sayre), Cooke’s Pharmacy (Troy) and White’s Refrigeration (Towanda). Tickets at the door on the night of the program will be $10 each.
Adelle Confer
Representing Troy Jr./Sr. High School, Adelle Confer is the daughter of George Confer and Christina Kulick. A consecutive honor roll achiever, Adelle is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as her class president, secretary, and treasurer throughout her high school career. She recently had the honor of representing Troy High School at the PA Laurel Festival. A member of Chamber Choir, Adelle also participates in martial arts and dance, and has danced competitively. In her community, she has served as a counselor at STEM Camp, and packed lunches for elementary school students during the pandemic. She also volunteered to help clean up Sugar Creek and worked with the NHS Adopt-a-Highway program. For the Creative and Performing Arts portion of the program, Adelle will demonstrate martial arts set to “Kung Fu Fighting” by Carlos Jean. At this time, she is undecided on her choice of college and major.
Paige Coleman
Representing Troy Jr./Sr. High School, Paige Coleman is the daughter of Kelly Coleman. She is Percussion Captain and a first chair flute player in the school band, and a soprano in the Chamber Choir and Chorus. A consistent honor roll achiever, Paige is also the president of the Speech & Debate team. While in the drama club, she won numerous awards as part of a duo. Paige has volunteered at the Troy Heritage Festival and the Maple Festival, and also donated her time to the Allen F. Pierce Free Library. Upon graduation, Paige plans on attending Lycoming College, with the ultimate career goal of joining the FBI. For the Creative and Performing Arts portion of the program, she will perform a motivational monologue titled “Equipment” by Edgar Guest.
Theresa Beers
Theresa Beers is representing Canton Jr./Sr. High School, and is the daughter of Steve and Trina Beers. She is a competitive dancer, and also is a pole vaulter on the track and field team, for which she has been named an Athletic Letterman. A consecutive honor roll achiever, Theresa is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as the vice president of her class. She is currently president of the Science Club and has been the vice president of the YMCA’s Youth and Government program in previous years. Theresa volunteers in her community with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the Moose Youth Awareness program, and has helped to organize and wrap Christmas gifts for needy families through the Giving Tree. She will perform a lyrical dance to “All I Know So Far” by P!NK for the Creative and Performing Arts portion of the program. Theresa is interested in becoming a physician, after possibly studying at the University of Pittsburgh.
People’s Choice Award
The 2022 Bradford-Sullivan Counties Outstanding Young Woman Program will be facilitating the “People’s Choice Award” activity. This award is primarily a “fun” fundraiser which benefits the Local Scholarship Fund. The winner’s picture will be posted on the “People’s Choice Award Board” in the auditorium lobby at the conclusion of the program. It will not be announced on stage, as it is not part of the actual program.
Each finalist will have a decorated container with her name and picture on it. Each vote will cost $1 or 6 votes for $5. For each vote, a piece of candy will be placed in the container of the finalist they are voting for. Voting will take place in the auditorium lobby and will only be open before the program and during the first intermission.
The finalist with the most candy in their container will be the “People’s Choice Award” Winner. The winner will receive a gift card and each finalist will take her container of candy home.
If you attend the program, be sure to bring some extra dollar bills (or fives, tens, twenties) along to vote for the “People’s Choice” in support of the scholarship fund.