By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Esosa Aghedo made Dallas County proud this past weekend, placing as first runner-up in the state Distinguished Young Women of Alabama scholarship program in Montgomery.

Contestants were judged on five categories: fitness, self-expression, a personal interview, scholastics and talent.

There were 52 girls who competed, but Aghedo captured the heart of the judges with a contemporary ballet piece that won the talent portion of the competition. She received an award for her performance.

“It was really a shock. I really didn’t think that I was going to win anything. So, when they called me as one of the top eight contestants I was really elated. It was a good feeling to know that I had made it that far for Dallas County,” Aghedo said.

She won a total of $4,700 in scholarship money: $4,000 for winning first runner-up and $700 for winning the talent competition.

Shelby County’s Mary Grace Long won the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama and will go on to participate in the national program in June.

Aghedo plans to use the money toward her college career at the University of Cincinnati, where she wants to study ballet. She is homeschooled and will complete her high school courses this May.

Aghedo said is was important for her to make sure to represent Dallas County well. She said her biggest challenge was to make sure not to get caught up in winning.

“For a long time Dallas County has not been a well-known presence at the competition. The real goal of the competition is not to win, it is about being your best self and to push yourself and see what you can do,” Aghedo said.

Aghedo said that her overall experience of the competition was positive.

“I walked away with a lot of new friendships and learned more about myself,” Aghedo said.

Chairwoman of Distinguished Young Women Demisha Stough has been with the program for four years and said Aghedo’s talent was exceptional.

“She was phenomenal. She was just awesome and represented Dallas County extremely well. Eyes were drawn to her immediately, as soon as she took the stage,” Stough said.

Stough encourages any girls in the class of 2017 who are interested in participating in the Distinguished Young Women program to contact her at (334) 349-0641. They can also register at www.distinguishedyw.org.