Sandpoint Article
REWARDING EXCELLENCE
Distinguished Young Women program takes place March 25.
By Patty Hutchens
PHOTO of Women BY LISA TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY
Photo of Sandpoint by, Eric Skinner
FOR NEARLY SIX DECADES, the Distinguished Young Women program has inspired young women at the high school level to develop their full potential, and the program has had a significant impact on young women right here in Sandpoint.
Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 59 years of operation, the program has provided lifechanging experiences for more than 745,000 young women. Last year,Distinguished Young Women provided more than $1.1 billion in cash and college scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national level. Previously known as America’s Junior Miss, the program announced its new name in June of 2010.
The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent. National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Regions Financial Corporation, Alabama Media Group, the State of Alabama Tourism Department and Alabama RC&D Council.
The national scholarship program is run by volunteers and is a nonprofit organization. There is no cost for the young women to enter the program that focuses on building life skills, encouraging camaraderie, rewarding excellence and improving self-confidence.
This year’s Sandpoint Distinguished Young Women program will be held on March 25 at the Sandpoint High School auditorium. The participants are Eleanor Mearns, Abby Johnson, Rachel Meyer, Alyssa Webster, JuliaNeuder, Ellie McCray, Calli Laybourne and Emma Reed.
The doors open at 6:30pm, with the program beginning at 7pm. Tickets are available from the participants or by calling 208.255. 2059.
Locally, the program has awarded $66,300 in scholarships since 2009. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, you can mail your check to DWY, P.O. Box 2531, Sandpoint, ID 83864. All donations are used for scholarships that are awarded to the participants.
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