Troy teen to compete in national scholarship competition this month
A 2022 graduate of Troy High School will travel to Mobile, Ala., on Monday, June 13, to participate in the 65th Distinguished Young Women National Finals June 23-25 at the Mobile Civic Center Theater.
Sharanya Swaminathan is one of 50 representatives competing for over $150,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2022. Following her selection as the Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan, Swaminathan began preparations for the National Finals competition, which will include five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression. During her two weeks in Mobile, Swaminathan will participate in team building activities, complete community service projects, interact with the Gulf Coast community through various events and engage in many hours of rehearsal in preparation for the threenight scholarship competition. “We are excited to host these incredible young women who are leaders in their schools and communities,” said Kendra Haskins, executive director for Distinguished Young Women, in a statement. “We know the future is in good hands.”
If selected as the program’s overall winner, Swaminathan will spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the country through various appearances and promoting the program’s national outreach initiative of Be Your Best Self. The outreach program is designed to combat major issues facing children today including childhood obesity and high school drop out rates, as well as encourage young people to take an active interest in their communities through service. The outreach program consists of five elements — Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible. A live webcast of the competition will be available online, at 7 p.m. June 23, 24 and 25. Tickets are $10 per night or $25 for all three nights. For more information, or to purchase virtual tickets, visit distinguishedyw.org.