Distinguished Young Women of Illinois 2022

CLASS OF 2022 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Katie Wu Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2021 Carl Sandburg High School August 9, 2021

Showcase Order Opening Number, “Rise Up” and Introduction of Finalists

Distinguished Young Women of Illinois Class of 2022 and Katie Wu, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2021 Pianist: Annika Agrawal, Distinguished Young Woman of Clarendon Hills 1029

History of Program and Explanation of Judging Categories

Emcees Isha Jog & Lauren Etzkorn, Distinguished Young Women of Illinois 2013 & 2018

Talent Presentations

Finalists 1-3

Fitness Routine, “Physical”

Silver Group: Finalists 8-14

Talent Presentations

Finalists 4-6

Fitness Routine

Blue Group: Finalists 15-20

Talent Presentations

Finalists 7-10

Fitness Routine

Red Group: Finalists 1-7

Special Talent Presentation:

“Waves” Contemporary Dance

Katie Wu, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2021

Self-Expression

Blue Group: Finalists 15-20

Talent Presentations

Finalists 11-13

Self-Expression

Red Group: Finalists 1-7

Talent Presentations

Finalists 14-17

Self-Expression

Silver Group: Finalists 8-14

Talent Presentations

Finalists 18-20

Year in Review

Katie Wu, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2021

Intermission Gratitude & Awards

Tiana Pequette, Chairwoman

Message from the Chairwoman On behalf of the Distinguished Young Women of Illinois state committee, I welcome you to the 2022 Distinguished Young Women of Illinois program, a scholarship program that recognizes and rewards high school senior girls for their achievements and excellence!

I got involved with Distinguished Young Women in high school. One evening when I was a sophomore, I happened to watch the national finals on television. When I saw the judging criteria, which included scholastics as a major component as opposed to a swimsuit competition, I thought, “I actually get points for my SAT score and GPA? This is the best pageant ever!” When I was a senior, I looked into the program again and signed up. I soon learned that it was not a “pageant” at all, but a true scholarship program. The winners go on to attend the top universities in the country, aided by the scholarships they earn through the Distinguished Young Women program.

My experience participating in the Distinguished Young Women of Illinois program was amazing. I loved getting to meet so many other intelligent, talented, and ambitious high school seniors from across the state. I was so honored to be named the overall Scholastic Achievement winner in the state, and the scholarship I won there went toward my tuition at Northwestern University. When my sister Emily Kidd won the state title in 2007, I decided to start a local program in my hometown, which I chaired for three years. This is now my twelfth year serving as the state chairwoman!

This year’s outstanding participants have had the opportunity to meet other motivated and goaloriented women and share their experiences, both over video calls and in person. This is an opportunity to meet new friends, celebrate high school successes, and set the stage for future educational opportunities.

Over the past several months, in addition to many hours of preparation, the participants have also gotten to know our 2021 representative, Katie Wu. Katie is a very kind, intelligent, talented, and driven young woman, and she represented Illinois beautifully in the digital national finals in June! In fact, she earned a $1,000 scholarship for placing in the top five girls in the nation in the Scholastic Achievement category.

She will be starting her freshman year at the University of Michigan this month, and I am confident she will be very successful in it all!

I want to extend a very big thank you to my husband Jason, our Assistant Chair, and the rest of our state committee, coaches, and judges. Organizing and coordinating a state-level program takes a tremendous amount of work, time, and dedication—even more so when it is largely digital! Knowing that this is all done on a completely volunteer basis shows the love and support that we truly have for this program.

Illinois State Committee Tiana Pequette, Chairwoman

Jason Pequette, Assistant Chairman Pam Boker, Judges Chairwoman Emily Kidd, Fitness Choreographer Julia Markun, Choreographer Jennifer DeSmedt, Program Book Coordinator Lauren Etzkorn, Food Coordinator Joe Stevens, National Support Team

Program Volunteers: Anne Marie Markun, Wenxiu Zhao, Minna Xiao Linda Phillips, Nitin Jog, Annika Agrawal

Interview, Self-Expression & Fitness Coaches: Julia Markun, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2012 Isha Jog, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2013 Lauren DeSmedt, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2017 Lauren Etzkorn, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2018 Dora Guo, Distinguished Young Woman of America 2019

Talent Coaches: Michelle Conradt, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 1998 Valerie Sveden, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2016 Pam Boker, Distinguished Mom & Actress

2022 State Program Judges Elizabeth Jia Sean Kidd Leah Nikolaus Jason Pica II Kristine Resler 2022 Regional Program Judges Michelle Conradt Jennifer DeSmedt Mohra Gavankar Margaret Hlebowitsh Bonni Howard Gauri Jog Isha Jog Erin Leslie Anne Marie Markun

Christine Mattingly Jason Pequette Kim Marie Peterson Heather Siemienas Gabriella Suliga Marie Jagger Taylor Ashlee Ward Georgi Yaekel

Our Class of 2021 is Going Places!

We are so proud of them continuing their distinguished life journeys in great colleges across the nation, including: Cornell University

St. Louis University

University of Michigan

University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign University of Illinois- Springfield Judson University

UCLA

Michigan State University

Nova Southeastern University

Rhodes College

Casey Pak Finalist Number 1

Distinguished Young Woman of Vernon Hills Talent: Contemporary Dance, Praying Activities: Varsity Patriettes Dance Team, Director of Message Management on Catalyst Club, VP Asian American Student Association, Founder of Nonprofit Organization Hope for Hearts, Emergency Medical Technician Training, National Honor Society, Lead Barista at Covered Bridge Creamery, Freshman Mentor Program, Math and Science Peer Tutor, Dance Leadership Honors: 2x IHSA 3A Competitive Dance State Champion, 2x Dance Team Union Large Varsity Jazz National Champion, National Merit Service Award, 6x Semester Gold Honor Roll Scholar, Spanish Seal of Biliteracy, All Athletic Academic Award, NSC Academic Award, 2x Stevenson High School Ambassador Award

Ainsley Barrett Finalist Number 2

Distinguished Young Woman of Orland Park Talent: Comedic Monologue, “The Greatest Star” from Funny Girl Activities: Director of Outreach (National Nonprofit): Project TEAL, President of Model United Nations, Varsity Tennis, Varsity Academic Challenges in Engineering and Science, NHS Officer, Volunteer at INK Foundation, Sales Associate at Clean Eatz, Staff Writer at Youth Foreign Policy Magazine, Running Start High School Program, Carl Sandburg Equity Board, Time for 9 Toolkit, UNCIEF Unite Volunteer Honors: Commendation from Senator Richard Durbin (IL), Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Published Journalist

Christin Sanchez Finalist Number 3

Distinguished Young Woman of Tinley Park Talent: Flute Performance, Airs De Ballet D’Ascanio by Camille Saint-Saens Activities: Club Terra, Northwestern Student Researcher, Track, Cross Country, Leadership Education and Development, L&D Matter Ambassador Chair, Girls IN2 STEM Mentor, Kumon Math and Reading Instructor, IMSA Society of Musical Performers, Future Business Leaders of America - Orientation Leader, Peer Tutoring, Bickford Senior Living Activities Leader Honors: IHSA Cross Country Sectional Qualifier, FBLA Business Ethics Regional Champion/9th Place State, National Ambassador Community Service Award, Zero Hunger Zero Waste Community Service Award, SWSC AllConference Mathlete, AP Scholar, Labor Vincit Omnia (Latin Excellence Award), SWSC Conference Track Champion, Solo & Ensemble First Division Rating: Flute

Grace He Finalist Number 4

Distinguished Young Woman of Mount Prospect Talent: Traditional Chinese Painting Activities: COE, Sugar & Spice, DECA, Journalism, Jimmy Johns, Xu Art School, Badminton, Inlight Intern, Upkey Intern, Unbound Intern, First Gen Support, Church Pianist Honors: DECA State Finalist, Gold Medal in Customer Relations- DECA District, Silver Medal in AccountingDECA District, Scholastic Gold Key, 2x Scholastic Silver Key

Trisha Gannu Finalist Number 5

Distinguished Young Woman of Vernon Township Talent: Vocal Performance, Pillagali Allari Activities: Director of Communications – ENVISION, Director of Finance - Woolly Wishes, Director of Sponsorships - Codenovate (nonprofit), Mentor for Pharmacy Science - Future Health Professionals (HOSA), Mentor for Science REACH, iStart Valley Entrepreneurship Program Intern, UIC Bioengineering Research Assistant, Destined Doctors Editor, National Art Honor Society, SPARK Research Program, Hospital Volunteer, National Honor Society Global Goals Leader, Give-A-Thon Classroom Leader, Chemistry Tutor Honors: HOSA State Competition 1st Place, 2nd Place and National Qualifier, TEAMS State Competition 2nd Place and National Qualifier, Presidential Service Gold Medal, IJAS Region 6 Science Fair Best in Category Award for Zoology, IJAS State Science Fair Gold Award, FBLA State Competition 4th Place (Healthcare Administration), Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Key for Photography, National Barbara James Service Award, NCWIT Northern Illinois Affiliate Honorable Mention

Sophia Cai Finalist Number 6

Distinguished Young Woman of South Barrington Talent: Flute Performance, Chaminade’s Flute Concertino in D Major, Op. 107 Activities: Band, Orchestra, Music Ensemble, Math Team, Robotics, Science Olympiad, Flute and Piano, Karate, Academic Challenge, Creative Writing, Music Volunteering Ensemble, Xilin Northwest Chinese School Teaching Assistant, Chess Without Borders Volunteer, Leo Club Honors: Scholastic Art & Writing - Silver Medal, Gold Key, and Silver Key awards, ILMEA Senior All-State Band/District Band/Orchestra, AIME Qualifier, President's Volunteer Service Award, Cook County Sheriff Commitment to Service Award, National AP Scholar, ICTM Math Contest State (6th & 9th place), ISMTA AIM Piano Level 12 Merit Award with Honors, Science Olympiad State Qualifier (4th & 5th place), Illinois State Karate Championships (3rd & 4th place)

Jazmin Brown Finalist Number 7

Distinguished Young Woman of Darien

Talent: Poetry Performance, Mixed Girl Activities: Speech Team, Badminton, Kids City at Community Christian Church, Reclaim 13 Organization, Fish Pantry

Grace Taylor Finalist Number 8

Distinguished Young Woman of Lake View Talent: Spoken Word, Rowing Reflections Activities: Rowing, Volleyball (Captain), Summer Job Outbound Marketing, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Worked with charity to translate letters (Spanish), Masterclass Masters Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children Volunteer Honors: National Honor Society, Student Body President, Top Business Student of the Year, Honor Roll (4 years), 9 IGCSE (International General Certificates), International Baccalaureate Curriculum (Honors Diploma), Culver Academy Highest Naval Achievement for 3rd Class Girls, Culver Academy Regimental Sergeant Major to the Mess

Moriah Crawford Finalist Number 9

Distinguished Young Woman of Springfield Talent: Flute Performance, Barcarolle by Friedrich Burgmüller Activities: Basketball, Superintendent’s Roundtable, Principal’s Roundtable, SGA, Tennis, Faculties Leadership Team, Curriculum Council, LINK Crew, Salvation Army Volunteer, Senior Olympics Volunteer Honors: 2x Black History Bowl Winner, Girl’s Basketball IHSA 4th place

Ashley Robles Finalist Number 10

Distinguished Young Woman of Berwyn Talent: Ukelele & Vocal Performance to Original Song, Espejo Activities: Cross Country, Track, Swim Team, School Band Singer, Church Volunteer, School Promotion Volunteer, Community Service Club Honors: Best of Berwyn, Scotty Award Recipient, Student Ambassador, Cross Country Girl's Captain

Gabby Fox Finalist Number 11

Distinguished Young Woman of Lake Zurich Talent: Cheerleading Activities: Cheerleader, National Honor Society (NHS), Physical Education Leadership Program, Counselor - White Pines Camp, Babysitting, Community Service Honors: Dean’s List (all years)

Sarah DuMoulin Finalist Number 12

Distinguished Young Woman of Hickory Hills Talent: Clarinet Performance, C.M. von Weber’s Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 26 Activities: Drama Club, Newspaper, French Circle, Girl Scouts, Lake Michigan Beach Clean-up, BEDS Shelter, Sacred Heart Church Religious Education, Elsie's Food Pantry, Feed My Starving Children, Cat Nap from the Heart, Girl Scout Service Projects Honors: Girl Scout Bronze Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, National Junior Honor Society, Honor Roll, French Honor Society, National Honor Society

Itzel Bahena Finalist Number 13

Distinguished Young Woman of Lake in the Hills Talent: Monologue, A Poem Where No One is Deported Activities: Soccer Team, AVID, Food ServiceWorker at Wendy’s, Interact Club, Church Volunteer, Cancer Research Fundraising, Volunteer Work with Children Honors: Spanish Student of the Month, Solo and Ensemble Superior

Prachi Gyanmote Finalist Number 14

Distinguished Young Woman of Buffalo Grove Talent: Kuchipudi Indian Classical Dance, Breathless Activities: Debate, Health Occupations Students of America, STEM Professionals as Resource Knowledge Program, Key Club, National Honor Society, Kuchipudi, GirlCon, Freshmen Mentor Program, Volunteer at Fenghua Chinese School, GirlSecurity Mentorship Program, Freshmen Mentor Program, Fenghua Chinese School, Debate Camp Volunteer Honors: 2nd Quality Speaker at State Debate Tournament, Adlai E. Stevenson Ambassador Award, Koding With Klossy Scholar, AP Scholar Award, NCWIT Northern Illinois Affiliate Award, Top 10 HOSA State Persuasive Speaking and Writing (2x), Silicon Andhra Senior Certification in Kuchipudi, Gold Honor Roll, Harvard National Debate Tournament Octafinalist (national awards), 1st Place Biomedical Debate HOSA State 2021

Saffron Hurt Finalist Number 15

Distinguished Young Woman of Maywood Talent: Monologue, “When I Was Younger” from A Raisin in the Sun Activities: Theatre Club, Class Committee, Volleyball, Multicultural Club, School Office Assistant, Feed My Starving Children Honors: National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Society of Women’s Engineers, College and Career Readiness Academies of Proviso East: Math, Music Festival (Superior Ribbon)

Arnima Agrawal Finalist Number 16

Distinguished Young Woman of Clarendon Hills Talent: Flute Performance, Suite de Trois Morceaux: Allegretto Activities: iOS App Development, Etsy Sticker Shop, Instagram Content Creation, Youth Build/Donation Program, Business Professionals of America, Marching Band, Chicago Rowing Foundation, Ensemble Flute, CGI Short Film Development, Tarana Kathak Dance Academy, Local Library Youth Program Creator and Instructor, Library Volunteer, Feed My Starving Children Volunteer Honors: First Chair Flute School Ensemble, Illinois Music Education Association District Recognition, Tarana Kathak Dance Academy Visharad Diploma, 3rd Place State Winner Entrepreneurship (BPA), 3rd Place State Winner Computer Modeling (BPA), 3rd Place State Winner Graphic Design Promotion (BPA), Student of the Quarter

Sofia Jubraj Finalist Number 17

Distinguished Young Woman of Naperville Talent: Vocal Performance, “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera Activities: Varsity Dance Team, Madrigals Singers, Honors Student Athlete, National Society of High School Scholars, National Student Leadership Conference, Tri-M Music Honor Society, MVHS Newspaper Journalism, Longform & Diversity Editor for MVHS Newspaper, High School Fresh Connect Leader, Feed My Starving Children, Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Memory Care Facility Volunteer, Special Olympics Volunteer Honors: National Society of High School Scholars (Ambassador), National Student Leadership Conference, TriM Honor Student, Student Athlete Scholar, Metea Valley High School Captains Counsel

Rosie Wang Finalist Number 18

Distinguished Young Woman of Kildeer Talent: Flute Performance, Reinecke Flute Concerto Op 283 Activities: Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, Band, Co-founder of nonprofit - Sharing the Stand, Co-President of nonprofit Crescendo for a Cause, Performance Recruiter at Friendship Village Senior Center Honors: Chicago Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition Winner, FBLA Northern Area Conference 1st Place & State 2nd Place - Business Law, Walgreens National Concerto Competition Winds Division Winner, FBLA Northern Area Conference 1st Place & State 1st Place & National Top 5 – Advertising, Top 10 in International Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, Gold Key Recipient at Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, 2nd Prize Winner at Enkor International Music Competition

Jasmine Sun Finalist Number 19

Distinguished Young Woman of Long Grove Talent: Performance of Self-Composed Poetry, Mirage Activities: President of Psychology Club, Managing Editor for School Newspaper, Freshmen Mentor, National Honor Society Executive Officer, Volunteer Tutor, Student Leadership Advisory Council Honors: KEMPA Best in Show Sports Feature (Journalism), National Honor Society, Gold Honor Roll, Honor Award for Community Service

Julia Pankau Finalist Number 20

Distinguished Young Woman of Chicago Talent: Contemporary Dance, Freedom Activities: Dance Teacher/ Choreographer, Ballet/Ballroom/ Contemporary Dance Student, Song Writer, Musician (piano + vocals), Spoken Word/Poetry Club, Band Member (2 albums), Track Team, Church Intern and Volunteer, Student Council Honors: High Honor Roll, National Junior Honor Society, Top 12 at Youth American Grand Prix and Washington D.C. Grand Prix (ballet competition), 1st Place National Competition for Contemporary Solo, 2nd Place at Sectional Track Meet for 100m High Hurdles, Track State Finalist for 100m High Hurdles

Jasmine, You give us a thousand reasons to smile every day!

We are so proud of you and will always be there to support and cheer for you.

We wish you best of luck!

Mom, Dad and Evan

Dear Arnima,

You are an incredible person. Everything you do makes us happy and proud. Don’t change for anyone else. Always keep your dreams alive and keep reaching for that star. You will catch it! I know you will. We are so lucky to have an amazing daughter like you.

Love always, Mom and Dad

Wishing Moriah Crawford All the Best!

Love ~ Your Mom, Nate, and the Sibs!

We love you, Grace!

Good luck to all the Distinguished Young Ladies!

Love, All the Taylors and your BFFs

The many faces of the one and only Moriah Mae Crawford Cutest Toddler Daughter Sister Princess Friend Entertainer Musician Flutist Saxaphonist Athlete Intelligent Fund Raiser Leader Mentor Babysitter Actress-Roll Reinactment and most precious to me Best Granddaughter Ever “Don't Just” Don't just learn, experience.

Don't just read, absorb.

Don't just change, transform.

Don't just relate, advocate.

Don't just promise, prove.

Don't just criticize, encourage.

Don't just think, ponder.

Don't just take, give.

Don't just see, feel.

Don’t just dream, do.

Don't just hear, listen.

Don't just talk, act.

Don't just tell, show.

Don't just exist, live.” ― Roy T. Bennett

destiny kluck DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN OF AMERICA FOR 2021 Georgia’s Destiny Kluck was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2021, during the 64th Annual National Finals.

Destiny is a graduate of Kennesaw Mountain High School.

Her academic honors include being named a World Science Scholar, Governor’s Honors Program member, Dual County Biochemistry Science Fair winner, Science Olympiad winner, and member of Women Advocacy in Orthopedics and Engineering.

Outside of the classroom, Destiny is passionate about community service. She dedicates her time to many causes, the most prominent being her involvement with youth in foster care and adoptions. As an adopted child herself, she runs a nonprofit called “Foster4Love-Adopt4Life” through which she volunteers with foster care youth.

Destiny’s passion for adoptions is not limited to foster care youth - she is also passionate about pet adoptions! Her mother, Debby, is a veterinarian and has shared her passion of giving animals their “FUR-ever families” with Destiny.

In the fall, Destiny will attend Brandeis University as a Posse Scholar, an extremely competitive merit-based scholarship program. She will be studying medicine with plans to become a vascular surgeon. Destiny shared, “I’m excited about the communities within the programs I’m joining and the opportunity to share my story and experiences with others.”

Winning $36,000 in cash scholarships and a gold medallion, Destiny will represent the Class of 2021 as the Distinguished Young Woman of America during this year.

FUN FACTS •

She was adopted from China and is one of three adopted siblings.

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Destiny has helpd bottle-feed five kittens; an extremely time-consuming and difficult task.

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She began practicing the art of calligraphy to improve her handwriting and fell in love with it!

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Destiny has been dancing since the age of three and plans to continue dance in college at Brandeis University.

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She comes from a large household - she is one of four children, three dogs, and a cat!

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Fashion has always inspired her. She has kept up with a massive fashion Pinterest board since she was in the 8th grade!

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Destiny loves watching “The Great British Baking Show,” and although she hasn’t picked up any baking skills, she does have a spot-on fake British accent.

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When asked who inspires her, she replied, without hesitation, “my mom is the most empowering woman I know... I gain my empathy from her.”

LEFT TO RIGHT, CLOCKWISE: Destiny ready for her interview; performing en pointe to

“Primavera Portena” for her talent; participating in the fitness category during National Finals; responding to her group’s self-expression question during the preliminaries; with her fellow participants at the Distinguished Young Women of Georgia state program.

national sponsors Distinguished Young Women is grateful to all of our national sponsors who make each year’s program possible through their generous contributions toward scholarships and the ongoing operation of the nationwide program.

states club, spirit club, events & in-kind sponsors STATES CLUB The businesses and individuals in the States Club sponsor a state’s representative during National Finals. The members of this elite group have graciously contributed $5,000 each. We appreciate their financial support and their dedication to the success of this program.

AJM Scholarship Foundation The Better Skin Co. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Captain Teresa E. Elders Foundation Lori Jo and Paul Carbonneau in honor of Amy Goodman Cisco and Pamela Codina Delaney Development, Inc. Distinguished Young Women Past Presidents Evonik Industries Dee and Jim Gambill Joy and Jimmy Grodnick The Hearin-Chandler Foundation The Howard Wealth Management Group of Stifel Tony and Liz Huntley Phil and Liz Kaiser Arlene Mitchell Mobile County Commission Pam and Eric Patterson Norvelle and Teresa Smith Maureen Sullivan Collins Trustmark National Bank

SPIRIT CLUB

EVENT SPONSORS

The businesses and individuals in the Spirit Club sponsor a state’s representative during National Finals. Members of this group have generously contributed $2,500 and we appreciate their support.

These businesses supported our virtual workshops that enabled our 50 state representatives to have a rich experience across the country.

Jessica and Bill Barrick Hargrove Engineers + Constructors Kendra and Michael Haskins McKinney Petroleum Equipment

WOMEN’S FORUM Thompson Engineering, Inc. INTERVIEW WORKSHOP The Adecco Group

IN-KIND SPONSORS Thank you to the many supporters who made this year’s program possible with their in-kind contributions. Your generosity helps make this a memorable experience for the participants. List reflects In-Kind donors available at press time.

Bellingrath Gardens & Home The Better Skin Company Brooke Bunting Chick-Fil-A Coca-Cola Crow Shields Bailey PC Dauphin Island Teresa Ernest FusionPoint Media

Girly Girl Rachel Helton Hey Dude!

John Cauley Jeweler McDonald’s Mobile Carnival Museum Moe’s Southwest Grill Bruce Morgan Outwoods

Ruby Media Saenger Theatre Shoe Station Kiersten Sokum University of South Alabama USS Alabama & Battleship Park Visit Mobile Wintzell’s Oyster House Yellowbox

program history

1958 to 2021

Distinguished Young Women was founded in 1958 by the Mobile (AL) Jaycees as an outgrowth of its popular Azalea Trail Maid program. Originally called America’s Junior Miss, Distinguished Young Women was created as a way to meet the need for higher education scholarships for young women.

While continuing to address the need for scholarships, Distinguished Young Women also saw an opportunity to help prepare young women for success in life after high school.

Many skills that help individuals be successful—how to conduct a business interview, believing that your opinions are worthy of recognition and how to speak with confidence and effectively convey your thoughts—are not taught in school.

Our Life Skills Workshops begin this education. Plus, to ensure the greatest impact possible, participation in our program is always free, allowing young women of all backgrounds to be able to reap the benefits of participation.

Distinguished Young Women is proud to be the oldest and largest scholarship program in the nation for college-bound high school senior girls. Since 1958, the program has awarded more than $116 million in cash scholarships at local, state, and national programs. In addition to cash scholarships, Distinguished Young Women participants are eligible for college-granted scholarships from over 100 colleges and universities across the country. Almost $1 billion in college scholarship opportunities were provided to the Class of 2021, some of which included full tuition plus room and board.

Many participants leave the program with scholarships, but all walk away from the experience with life skills to help them interview for jobs, develop healthy relationships and have increased confidence.

Throughout the years, Distinguished Young Women has continued to attract the nation’s best and brightest. More than 780,000 young women have participated in the program at the local, state and national levels. Journalist and anchor Diane Sawyer (1963), Journalist Deborah Norville (1975), Will & Grace actress Debra Messing (1986), CNN anchor Robin Meade (1987) and violinist and best-selling author Lindsey Stirling (2005) are a few of the program’s celebrity faces.

Distinguished Young Women is proud to have helped these women on their road to success and is equally proud of the thousands of other past participants who have achieved success through a vast number of careers, such as Dr. Linda Rutledge Delbridge (1973), vice-president at IBM; Marlo Graves (1990), Shuttle Integration Group Engineer for Boeing; pediatrician Dr. Susan Davidson (1998); and Sruthi Palaniappan (2016), the youngest delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention and former student body President at Harvard College.

Distinguished Young Women continues because of the hard work and dedication of more than 10,000 volunteers throughout the nation. These individuals devote countless hours to planning, funding and executing local, state and national programs. A board of directors including civic, business and professional leaders governs the national nonprofit corporation. These volunteers are committed to providing opportunities to young women who have achieved excellence in their high school careers. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and support from the Mobile community, Distinguished Young Women continues to impact the lives of thousands of young women across the country.

LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: 1. Phyllis Whitenack (WV) was the first national representative in 1958. 2. The Class of 1963 takes part in the Youth Fitness.

In the center is Diane Sawyer, Kentucky and America’s Junior Miss for that year. 3. The Tonight Show’s Ed McMahon served as host of the program in 1980. 4. Kim Smith (NC) was the first America’s Junior Miss to receive a medallion instead of a crown in 1981. 5. Tyrenda Williams, America’s Junior Miss for 1997, spreads the message of the Be Your Best Self. 6. The Class of 2001 Has Beens perform. 7. Madison Leonard of Idaho was named the first Distinguished Young Women of America in 2010. 8. A participant in the local Charleston County (SC) program takes part in a Life Skills Workshop in 2015.

distinguished alumnae The Distinguished Alumnae is a sisterhood of more than 780,000 women who have participated in Distinguished Young Women or Junior Miss programs at any level—local, state or national—since the program’s origin. They are passionate about this program!

HOW TO STAY INVOLVED

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK In 2019, the Distinguished Network launched providing an online space for alumnae of all ages to network and connect. Join the private Facebook page by searching “The Distinguished Network.”

JOIN US IN PERSON Past participants stay connected through newsletters and updates, alumnae reunions and clubs, volunteering and social media. We currently have Alumnae Clubs in Atlanta, the Bay Area, Boston, Mobile, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington DC. Alumnae can receive information about getting connected by emailing Lisa@DistinguishedYW.org.

get involved!

After a fully virtual 2021 National Finals program, we’ve seen it all! The message and impact of Distinguished Young Women CAN be spread, no matter the circumstances. Help us continue to share that message by getting involved with local programs in your area, OR start a program in your area using our flexible format options!

In order to increase our impact, we need new grassroots programs reaching into communities. These programs feed into our state programs to help them GROW! Flexible format local programs were created with the intention that anyone can start a program - regardless of time, location or resources. Here are some of the perks of our flexible format:

YOU CAN DO IT! • • • •

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Minimal time commitment - only a few hours Flexible - you set the schedule Host your local program partially OR fully digital DYW provides the Scholastics Judge, Program Judge contacts, Fitness routine, Life Skills Workshop videos and College-Granted Scholarships No venue needed Low to ZERO cost

Are YOU able to volunteer even a few hours of your time and start impacting young women? Contact our National Field Director, Lisa Lawley Burnette, at Lisa@DistinguishedYW.org for a more in-depth description of our program options or to get connected with a program in your area.

distinguished young women

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Mary Helen Miller

Evelyn Nutt

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Carson McFatridge

Skyla Nelson

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Cosette Wu

Camille Neuder

Katherine Wu

Kelsey Lawmaster

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Riley Rohrbach

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Alison Reed

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Eliana Rundus

Wendy Wei

Sarah Kate Taliaferro

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Chloe Smith

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Madeline Klipfel

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Isabella Kulstad

Kari Largent

Carsyn Harris

Veronica Goveas

Emmalee Skinner

class of 2021 awards The Class of 2021 shared in $132,000 in cash scholarships at the national level and more than $1 BILLION in college-granted scholarships available to them by taking part in the Distinguished Young Women experience.

Nine state reps are currently attending college tuition free using scholarships available through DYW.

DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMAN OF AMERICA • $30,000 Destiny Kluck Georgia

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FIRST RUNNER-UP • $20,000 Emma Neal North Carolina

SECOND RUNNER-UP • $10,000 Aris Zhu Arizona

FINALISTS • $5,000 EACH Cosette Wu Hawaii Wendy Wei Kentucky Taylor Schneider Tennessee

Annie Zhu Texas Veronica Goveas Wisconsin

CATEGORY AWARDS SCHOLASTICS • $1,000 EACH Aris Zhu AZ Katherine Wu IL Annie Zhu TX Veronica Goveas WI

Wendy Wei KY

INTERVIEW • $1,000 EACH Aris Zhu AZ Elizabeth Fellinger NJ Taylor Schneider TN Veronica Goveas WI

Sanya Surya OR

TALENT • $1,000 EACH Destiny Kluck GA Cosette Wu HI Avery Berlowski MN Isabella Kulstad VA

Chloe Smith MD

FITNESS • $1,000 EACH Skyla Nelson CA Destiny Kluck GA Anjali Petrucci MI Avery Berlowski MN Emma Neal NC SELF-EXPRESSION • $1,000 EACH Aris Zhu AZ Anna Campbell IA Sanya Surya OR Taylor Schneider TN Annie Zhu TX

SATELLITE AWARDS Joy Mitchell Grodnick SPIRIT AWARD • $2,000 Cosette Wu HI TELL ME A STORY AWARDS

by Maureen Sullivan Collins • $2,500 Evelyn Nutt AK Avery Berlowski MN Chick-Fil-A BE YOUR BEST SELF AWARDS in honor of Reggie & Betty Copeland • $1,000 Cosette Wu HI Sanya Surya OR COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS in honor of Millie Long • $1,000 Rose Hansen MA Annie Zhu TX

NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE/NPC FOUNDATION AWARD • $1,000 Cosette Wu HI Lydia Ubry Lawrence Cty, PA Participant Dr. Richard B. Rogers SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP • $1,500 Sydney Lin NV Rebecca Houston Todd ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AWARD • $1,500 Cosette Wu HI Bork Family SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARDS • $500 Aris Zhu AZ Rose Hansen MA

Press Register/AL.com DISTINGUISHED DIARY AWARD • $1,000 Eliana Rundus KS DISTINGUISHED VLOGGER AWARD in honor of Roxann Dyess • $1,000 Faith Mae Kiser NC 2020 Amy Osmond Cook HAS BEEN AWARD • $2,000 Megan Chang MD 2020 DISTINGUISHED OUTREACH AWARD • $1,000 Sofia Gaxiola San Diego, CA Participant

be your best self Founded in 1987, the Be Your Best Self (BYBS) program is the official outreach program of Distinguished Young Women. In keeping with our mission, the program provides an opportunity for participants to beneficially impact the lives of children in their communities.

The simple and practical message of the Be Your Best Self program is carried across the country through dynamic and engaging presentations created by Distinguished Young Women participants at all levels (local, state and national).

The Be Your Best Self program seeks to encourage young people to lead successful and productive lives. Participants delivering the BYBS message use their personal experiences and unique talents to create presentations that inspire leaders for the future. Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible are the five elements that help define what it means to Be Your Best Self.

This year, Distinguished Young Women celebrated its twelfth annual National Be Your Best Self Week, a nationwide event that took place April 19-23.

During the week, Distinguished Young Women participants across the country visited with groups of children in their communities and via video conference to share the Be Your Best Self message. As a result, thousands of young people learned what it means to be their best selves and how they can work toward a bright and productive future.

Distinguished Young Women is proud to offer a special scholarship award in conjunction with the Be Your Best Self program, the Distinguished Outreach Award. Any young woman who participated in a 2021 Distinguished Young Women program at the local or state level (excludes state winners) and participated in National Be Your Best Self Week was eligible to compete for the award.

The recipient of the Distinguished Outreach Award for the Class of 2021 was Sofia Gaxiola from San Diego County, CA. The Be Your Best Self Scholarship Selection Committee consists of Vanessa Boone, Skye Bork, Alison Casebolt, Victoria Humphrey, Grace Otley, Katelyn Pyfer, Allison Ruiz, Savannah Suarez, and Mary K. Talbot.

Bring BYBS to your community! Want a BYBS presentation at your organization or school? Contact Lisa@ DistinguishedYW.org to find the program closest to you.

be healthy Be physically fit and drug free

be involved

Serve your community

be ambitious Set and achieve goals

be responsible Live by moral and ethical principles

be studious Stay in school

national representatives

1958 to 2020

1958 | WEST VIRGINIA Phyllis A. Whitenack

1968 | OKLAHOMA Debi Faubion Attorri

1978 | MISSOURI Kim Crosby Westenberg

1959 | PENNSYLVANIA Judi Humphrey Peckonis

1969 CALIFORNIA Jackie Bennington Weiss

1979 | PENNSYLVANIA Susan Horvath McCready

1960 | CONNECTICUT Maureen Sullivan Collins

1970 | ARIZONA Karen Stenwall Wiseman

1980 | GEORGIA Julie Bryan Moran

1961 | MISSOURI Mary Frann Luecke

1971 | NEW JERSEY Arlene Stens Thompson

1981 | NORTH CAROLINA Kim Smith Yandow

1962 | RHODE ISLAND Jean Leslie Allen

1972 | KENTUCKY Lydia Hodson Copeland

1982 | MISSISSIPPI Susan Hammett Wilmore

1963 | KENTUCKY Diane Sawyer

1973 | KANSAS Linda Rutledge Delbridge

1983 | ALABAMA Stephanie Ashmore Pitts

1964 | WASHINGTON Linda Felber

1974 | WYOMING Karen Morris Gowdy

1984 | MINNESOTA Amber Kvanli Ward

1965 | MICHIGAN Patrice Gaunder Heeran

1975 | ARKANSAS Julie Forshee Thurber

1985 | TEXAS Valerie Lowrance Tyler

1966 | WISCONSIN Diane Wilkins

1976 | WASHINGTON Lenne Jo Hallgren

1986 | VIRGINIA Lori Jo Smith Carbonneau

1967 | ARKANSAS Rosemary Dunaway Trible

1977 | ARKANSAS Christy Moller Wojohn

1987 | WISCONSIN Chuti Tiu

University of Central Florida Graduate; registered nurse; lived in Scottsdale, AZ; two daughters and two grandchildren; died in 2011

Studied for a career in nursing; one son; died in 1968

Southern Connecticut State University graduate; BS degree in special education; lives on Fisher Island, FL and CT with husband of 54 years, George; three sons and ten grandchildren

Attended Northwestern University; founded the America’s Junior Miss Council in 1995; had an extensive career in acting; died in 1998

George Washington University graduate; attended Georgetown Law School; lives in Providence, RI; one son; died in 2018

Wellesley College graduate; lives in New York City; former co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America; current anchor of ABC’s World News and principal anchor; wife of the late Mike Nichols

Master’s degree from University of Illinois; coordinator of student services for school district; one daughter; lives in Salem, OR

Graduate of Marygrove College (Detroit); lives in Washoe Valley, NV, with husband of 46 years, John; two sons and one daughter

Studied at Marymont and the University of Massachusetts; worked in import business in California; died in 2005

Univ. of TX graduate; works with students at Christopher Newport University; author of book Fear to Freedom & created nonprofit called Fear 2 Freedom; two children & two grandchildren

Stephens College graduate; former evening news anchor at WSOC-TV; Broadcast and promotion spokesperson at her company Debi Presents LLC; lives with her husband in Charlotte, NC

Masters in Education/Physical Education from Stanford University; High School dance instructor & Dir. of International Baccalaureate Dance Certificate Program; two daughters

Studied at Texas Christian University and Kansas State; Masters in psychology; Senior VP Marketing for global real estate company; three daughters and four grandchildren

Master’s degree from Trenton State College; lives in Moorestown, NJ; five children

George Washington University graduate; worked in television; one son; died in 1991

Ph.D. in computer science from George Washington University; Director, Automation Business Development for Information Services Group; resides in Lake Tahoe, NV with husband Dave, rescue husky, Kane, and cat, Boris.

Attended the University of Wyoming, New York University, and Stella Adler’s; played the role of Faith Coleridge on the Emmy-winning Ryan’s Hope; three daughters

Spring Hill College graduate; lives in Miami Beach, FL and Park City, UT with her husband; two sons

Whitworth College graduate; public speaker, author, and active in public affairs; contributor to Full Bloom; resides in Eagle, ID with husband J.E. Givens; three children and three grandchildren

University of Georgia graduate; teaches 1st grade; lives in Zachary, LA; five children

Feature soloist with symphonies around the U.S.; starred in Guys and Dolls and Into the Woods on Broadway; lives in Springfield, MO with husband; two daughters and one son

Studied at Troy University; worked in radio; currently living in Virginia with her husband, a retired Air Force Colonel

Graduate of UGA; first female anchor of ABC’s Wide World of Sports; host of Entertainment Tonight for 10 years; host of LIFETIME’S The Balancing Act; two daughters

Career as a dancer/choreographer & director; taught dance at BYU for 11 years; directed her own women’s performing company for 7 years; authored SimpleSpaces; ten children

Master’s degree from Louisiana State University in communication disorders; senior sales representative with Takeda Pharmaceuticals; lives in Alexandria, LA with two sons

University of Mississippi Nursing School grad; Pediatric Oncology, Pre-Op and Recovery Room Nursing; lives in Fairhope, AL with four children

M.B.A. from Kellogg at Northwestern University; lives in New York City with husband and two children

University of Texas - Ph.D. in jurispendence; former prosecutor; working as a lecturer in trial advocacy at the University of Texas Law School; four children

Graduate of Princeton; Harvard MBA; lives in Virginia following years in China; Director of Membership for the McLean Project for the Arts; married with two sons and one daughter

Northwestern University; actor, writer, & producer; wrote, produced & starred in feature film Pretty Rosebud; serves on Tallgrass Film Festival Filmmaker Advisory Board

1988 | MISSISSIPPI Kristen Logan Sepesi

1999 | GEORGIA Sarah Jane Everman Shanks

2010 | IDAHO Madison Leonard

1989 | MISSOURI Kristin Huxhold Provisero

2000 | UTAH Jesika Henderson Harmon

2011 | TENNESSEE Katye Brock Bodak

1990 ILLINOIS Sara Martin Rosheger

2001 | ALABAMA Carrie Colvin Alling

2012 | NORTH CAROLINA Christina Maxwell

1991 CALIFORNIA Amy Elizabeth Goodman

2002 | OREGON Amy Kerr McVey

2013 | WASHINGTON Nicole Renard

1992 | CALIFORNIA Tiffany Stoker Madsen

2003 | CALIFORNIA Andrea Finch Williams

2014 | GEORGIA Brooke Rucker

1993 | GEORGIA Rebecca Jones Kujawa

2004 | TEXAS Shannon Essenpreis Fortenberry University of Mississippi; Communications Manager for agricultural input supplier GreenPoint AG; three children

University of South Alabama graduate; BS in Nursing; Worked as a Cardio Pulmonary Critical Care nurse at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital while earning MA; Living in Alaska with husband

1994 | UTAH Amy Osmond Cook

2005 | MISSISSIPPI Kelli Schutz Croyle

Ph.D. in Communication from University of Utah; Director of Provider Relations for North American Health Care; CEO of Osmond Marketing; Healthcare columnist; five children

Belhaven University; motivational and guest speaker; spiritual development director at Westbrook Christian School; fitness coordinator at Big Oak Ranch, a Christian home for children needing a chance; two sons

2016 | SOUTH CAROLINA Tara Moore

1995 | NEW JERSEY Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny

2006 | KENTUCKY Taylor Phillips

2017 | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Skye Bork

1996 | TENNESSEE Andrea Plummer Guardenier

2007 | MINNESOTA Nora Ali

2018 | INDIANA Aaryan Morrison

1997 | ALABAMA Tyrenda Williams-Reed

2008 | UTAH Lindsey Brinton Harris

Attended Baylor University; former marketing consultant and Colorado state chairman; lives in Athens, GA with two children

University of Illinois graduate; master’s degree from Webster University; Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar; Broadway singer and actress living in New York; two daughters

Northwestern University graduate; master’s degree from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England; 1995 British Marshall Scholar; kindergarten teacher; two children

UCLA; Master’s from Columbia; journalist & style expert; contributor NBC’s TODAY Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Live with Kelly & Ryan, The View, The Talk; author of Wear This, Toss That; two children

BYU then Juris Doctorate from Hastings College of the Law; Clovis Unified School Board Trustee; certified teacher of Let’s Play Music and Sound Beginnings; three sons and two daughters

Duke University; earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation; Vice President of Business Management for an energy company; three children

Duke and Tulane School of Medicine; dermatologist in private practice in New York; Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital; three children; died in 2015

University of Virginia; received MD from Albany Medical College and served seven years in the Air Force as a pediatrician; Fellow in Pediatric Intensive Care in San Diego; one daughter

Birmingham-Southern College; M.A. in Journalism and Latin American & Caribbean Studies from NYU; HR/Payroll Manager for the Birmingham Barons; two daughters

1998 | PENNSYLVANIA Susan Davidson Sankova

Harvard and Georgetown School of Medicine; Johns Hopkins Hospital pediatric residency; currently an assistant professor of anesthesiology at University of Maryland Medical School

Graduate of the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music; most recently appeared on Broadway in Cats; lives with her husband and son in New York, NY

Honors graduate from Brigham Young University; BA in English and minor in dance; currently resides in Alpine, UT, with five children

Vanderbilt University grad with a degree in economics; digital media and video production consultant; lives in Los Angeles with two daughters

Graduated cum laude from Willamette University; owns and operates fine art wedding and portrait photography studio with husband; lives in Salem, OR

Graduated from Brigham Young University with major in music/dance/theater; teaches voice and piano lessons; resides in Gainesville, FL with three children

Stanford undergrad & PhD; currently Assistant Professor of Management & Organizations at New York University (Stern School of Business)

Graduate of Harvard University with BA in statistics and quantitative finance; anchor at business and technology news network, Cheddar; living in New York City

Harvard University; graduated #1 in law school class from UC Hastings College of Law; lives in Salt Lake City with three children

2009 | KENTUCKY Michelle Rodgers

Northwestern University; Community Program Coordinator for Eugene, OR; middle school teacher & group facilitator; Director of The Eugene Story Project

Pepperdine grad with a Masters of Music degree in Voice and Opera; currently singing opera professionally; Lives in Switzerland with her husband

University of Tennessee; master’s in SpeechLanguage Pathology; working as a speechlanguage pathologist; lives in Knoxville with her husband and daughter

University of Michigan; BFA in musical theatre, film and television in NYC; creative arts therapist for pediatric oncology; “Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role” at New York Musical Festival

Chapman University graduate; majored in TV broadcast journalism; recently interned for Ryan Seacrest Studios & iHeartMedia; studied abroad in New Zealand

Florida State University graduate; member of Charles Anderson’s COA Dance Project company; Visioning Partner Assistant at Urban Bush Women; living in Brooklyn, NY

2015 | ALASKA Máire Nakada Aguirre

Clemson University graduate with a BS in Health Sciences; Miss Clemson University 2018; Captain of the Rally Cat Dance Team; Alpha Delta Pi Sorority; Beginning the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Emory University

Columbia University graduate with a degree in Economics-Mathematics; Vice President of student council; Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and Undergraduate Recruitment Committee; continues to take dance and ballet classes

Student at Harvard University majoring in Social Studies and African Studies; Modern Dance Company; Strong Women Strong Girls; Harvard National MUN; Harvard Undergraduate Council

2019 | ILLINOIS Dora Guo

Student at Yale University majoring in Ethnicity, Race and Migration; Member of Rhythmic Blue, Yale Daily News, Yale Dancers

2020 | KENTUCKY Elif Ozyurekoglu

Student at Columbia University majoring in Biomedical Engineering; Swim/Dive Team; Kappa Alpha Theta; Society of Women Engineers; Columbia Podcast Reporter

college-granted scholarships The Class of 2022 is eligible for college-granted scholarships from colleges and universities across the nation.

ALBION COLLEGE Albion, Michigan Four year, renewable $1,000 scholarship to: • Any Distinguished Young Women participant To qualify, students my apply for admission by December 1st of their senior year of high school.

CARROLL COLLEGE* Helena, Montana Four-year renewable scholarship of $22,000, with annual renewal contingent on maintaining a 2.0 or higher college GPA to: • National Scholastic Winner Four-year renewable scholarship of $20,000, with annual renewal contingent on maintaining a 2.0 or higher college GPA to: • Any State Scholastic Winner Four-year renewable scholarship of $19,000, with annual renewal contingent on maintaining a 2.0 or higher college GPAt o: • Any Local Scholastic Winner CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY* Orange, California Four-year renewable Presidential Scholarship ($32,000 annually/$128,000 total award) to: • Any State Winner • State level Overall Scholastics Winner Student must apply and qualify for Freshman Admission.

Scholarship is renewable provided student maintains full time attendance and established GPA requirements.

HOOD COLLEGE* Frederick, Maryland Four-year, renewable full tuition scholarship with maintenance of a 3.25 GPA to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America • Any State Winner Four year, renewable half tuition scholarship with maintenance of a 3.25 GPA to: • Any Distinguished Young Woman participant HUNTINGDON COLLEGE* Montgomery, Alabama Four-year, full tuition renewable scholarship to: • Any State Winner Limited to 5 awards per year.

MCDANIEL COLLEGE* Westminster, Maryland Four-year renewable $25,000 scholarship with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America • Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland OHIO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS Athens, Ohio Four-year, renewable combined talent and leadership scholarship of $1,250-$2,500 to: • Any participant accepted to the Schools of Music, Art+Design, Theater, Dance, Film, or Interdisciplinary Arts Distinguished Young Women program awards may be stacked with OHIO University merit-based scholarships only.

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Georgetown, Texas $7,500 renewable four year scholarship to: • Any National Program participant $5,000 renewable four year scholarship to: • Any State Program participant (from any state) $2,500 renewable four year scholarship to: • Any Texas Local Program participant All applicants for admission to Southwestern will be considered for our general merit scholarships at the time of admission review. DYW program scholarships are four-year, renewable scholarships with annual renewal contingent on maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA. DYW program awards may be stacked with general scholarship awards from the University.

ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY* San Antonio, Texas Four-year, renewable full tuition scholarship to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America • Distinguished Young Woman of Texas • National Scholastic Winners • Any State winner with 30 ACT and 3.7 GPA UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA* Tuscaloosa, Alabama Four-year award for the value of a Presidential scholarship, $5,000 freshman year housing scholarship and $5,000 study abroad stipend to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America Four-year award for the value of a Presidential scholarship to: • Any State Winner Four-year award for the value of a Presidential scholarship plus a $5,000 freshman year housing scholarship to: • Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama • Alabama’s Overall Scholastics Winner If a student is receiving a merit-based automatic offer that is less than a Presidential, this designation will bump them to the Presidential-equivalent. A student cannot receive both a merit-based award and program-based tuition award. Should a student already be receiving a Presidential Scholarship, they will receive a $2,000 per year stipend, $300 per year book scholarship, and a one-time $3,000 study abroad stipend. If the National Representative has already received a Presidential Scholarship, she will only receive the housing scholarship and study abroad stipend.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO Moscow, Idaho Four year, renewable Go Idaho scholarship program guarantees these levels of funding from a combination of scholarships to all participants at the local/state level who are Idaho residents: • $4,000 with a 3.9-4.0 high school GPA • $3,000 with a 3.75-3.899 high school GPA • $2,000 with a 3.4-3.749 high school GPA • $1,000 with a 3.0-3.399 high school GPA Four year, renewable Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship program guarantees the WUE award to all participants at the local/state level who are not residents of Idaho, but are residents of a WUE state.

• WUE qualifiers pay 150% of in-state tuition and fees and do not pay out of state tuition, a savings of over $12,000/year; must have a minimum 3.2 unweighted high school GPA

Four year, renewable Invitation to Idaho scholarship program for all participants at the local/state level who are not residents of Idaho or a WUE state: • The award results in a savings of over $12,500/year for participants with a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE Mobile, Alabama Four year, renewable full tuition and fees scholarship with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America Four-year, renewable half tuition scholarship with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA to: • Any Distinguished Young Woman participant with a minimum 27 ACT and 3.0 high school GPA The priority deadline is May 1st. A student cannot receive both a merit-based award and DYW tuition award. To be considered for these awards, you must enroll full time to the University for the fall semester immediately following your high school graduation and be a residential student.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA* Mobile, Alabama Four year, renewable full tuition and fees, on-campus room and board scholarship with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America • Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama • National Overall Scholastics Winner • Any State winner with 30 ACT or 1360 SAT and 3.0 GPA UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA Livingston, Alabama $2,500 four-year renewable Trustee Leadership Scholarship (with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA) to: • Any local or state contestant (with at least a 19 ACT) Additionally, Trustee Academic Scholarships at UWA start at a 21 composite ACT and 3.0 high school GPA and can be partially stacked with the DYW award so that qualified participants can receive the full amount for their highest award plus half of the next.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY* Pullman, Washington Four-year, full tuition scholarship at the Pullman campus, with annual renewal contingent on maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress and full-time status, to: • Distinguished Young Woman of America YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA* York, Pennsylvania $10,000 per year, four-year renewable scholarship with maintenance of a 3.0 GPA to: • Any State winner • Any Pennsylvania local winner

*If a student receives a scholarship of higher value from the college, that scholarship will replace the scholarship associated with Distinguished Young Women.

High School Girls!

If you are interested in being a Distinguished Young Woman, check out our website to learn more! www.DistinguishedYW.org Join our mailing list by clicking “APPLY NOW”!

Questions? Email us at Illinois@DistinguishedYW.org

Thank you very much to all of our generous state corporate sponsors!

We Appreciate the Generosity of our Finalists’ Families and Friends!

Family & Friends of Arnima Agrawal

Nathan & Melissa Porter The DuMoulin Family

Family & Friends of Itzel Bahena Family & Friends of Trisha Gannu Family & Friends of Prachi Gyanmote

The Kolman Family Susana & Juan Arbodela Mohini Jubraj

Family & Friends of Saffron

Rachel Ongsansoy, Noel Mora, Mae Luzbetak, Angie Gerio & Christopher Sanchez

Family & Friends of Casey Pak

Maureen & Terrence Taylor

Family & Friends of Jasmine Sun

Shawn Wan

Family & Friends of Grace He

The Barrett Family

Thank you to Our Friends of the Program for Their Generous Donations!

Tiana & Jason Pequette The Family of Katie Wu

Friends & Family of Tiana & Jason Peggy Danhof

Margaret Hlebotowitsh

Szostak & Markun Families, In Memory of Ben Szostak, Beloved Brother of Volunteers Jillene Szostak & Anne Marie Szostak Markun & Loving Uncle of Julia Markun, Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2012

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2022 Scholarship Winners Scholastic Achievement: ______________________________________________ Interview: ______________________________________________ Physical Fitness: ______________________________________________ Talent: ______________________________________________ Self-Expression: ______________________________________________ Spirit Award: ______________________________________________ 4th Runner Up: ______________________________________________ 3rd Runner Up: ______________________________________________ 2nd Runner Up: ______________________________________________ 1st Runner Up: ______________________________________________ Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois 2022: ______________________________________________