APRIL 15, 2022, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A13
performed their talent showcases from
last year in front of the crowd, some-
thing they didn’t get to do last year due
to the competition moving online due to
COVID protocols.
“There’s an energy that comes with
these local, live performances
that can not be matched,”
Auvinen said. “It was
amazing to be able to
be back and perform
this year.”
Additionally, last
year’s changes also
caused Auvinen and
Smith to miss out on the
$1,000 scholarships nor-
mally given out. However, to
the surprise of Auvinen and Smith, both
were awarded with scholarships Saturday
night.
One of the evening’s emcees, mem-
bership specialist for the Keizer Chamber
of Commerce Fatima Falcon, was a
Distinguished Young Woman of Keizer
2016, and understands what the program
is meant to offer its participants.
“One of the biggest points we
give to young participants is pub-
lic speaking ability, and being
on Zoom robbed them of that,”
Falcon said. “Them being able
to be part of this program, even
though they weren’t competing,
was such a key moment for them
in their Keizer career.”
G
A. Anna Sponable reacts in shock when announced as a 2023 Distinguished Woman
of Keizer as McKenna Eppley and Anet Quintero Salgado cheer her on Saturday, April 9,
at McNary High School.
B.
Fatima Falcon, one of the emcees for Saturday’s Distinguished Young Women of
Keizer event, holds up an applause sign while giving her introduction to the audience along
with 2022 representatives Sydney Smith and Ellie Auvinen.
C. 2023 Representatives Kiele Jarnagin and Anna Sponable pose for photos together
following the Distinguished Young Women of Keizer event on April 9 at McNary High School.
D. McKenna Eppley plays Menuet #1 from Cello Suite #1 by Johann Sebastian Bach
during rehearsals prior to the Distinguished Women of Keizer event on April 9.
H
E.
The 2023 contestants pose at the end of their fitness routine at Saturday’s
Distinguished Women of Keizer event at McNary High School.
F.
Anna Sponable sings This Could Change Everything by Francesca Battistelli for
the talent showcase at the Distinguished Women of Keizer event April 9.
G. 2023 Representative Kiele Jarnagin poses with her little sister Isabella Zaragoza
Lòpez after the Distinguished Young Women of Keizer competition.
H. 2022 Representatives Ellie Auvinen and Sydney Smith react on stage when told
they will receive the $1,000 scholarships this year that they did not receive at last year.
I.
Ellie Auvinen performs her monologue from last year’s competition. Auvinen and
the other contestants were unable to perform in front of a live crowd last year due to the
competition being moved online.
Photos by JOSHUA MANES of Keizertimes
E
I
F