Oxford teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi

Published 9:10 am Monday, July 28, 2025

Oxford High School senior Lainey Schuesselin has been named the 2026 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi, earning top honors and $13,000 in scholarship awards during the 68th annual state program held in Meridian.

Representing Lafayette County, Schuesselin joined 31 high school seniors from across the state July 17-19 during a week filled with rehearsals, community service projects, and on-stage performances.

In addition to receiving the overall state title, she was also awarded the Overall Talent, Overall Fitness, and Overall Self-Expression awards.

Schuesselin is the daughter of John and Maria Balach Schuesselin of Oxford. A student at Oxford High School, she is a member of the varsity dance team and the varsity tennis team. She plans to attend either the University of Pittsburgh or the University of Mississippi to pursue a career in pediatric surgery.

Schuesselin will go on to represent Mississippi at the National Distinguished Young Women Finals in Mobile, Alabama, in June 2026. There, she will compete for a share of more than $100,000 in scholarship funds, including the $40,000 national title scholarship.

The Distinguished Young Women program, now in its 68th year, aims to empower high school senior girls to reach their full potential through leadership, scholarship, and personal development opportunities.