DYW to give away $16k in scholarships during showcase
The Starkville Distinguished Young Women scholarship program will showcase 12 high school juniors Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at Lee Hall on the Mississippi State University campus
The annual event will feature performances showcasing each of their special talents, in addition to a fitness routine and answering questions from a sixjudge panel.
Some of the talents performed will be a vocalist, pianist, violinist, dancers and even a comedy routine.
“I think it will be a fun and entertaining night and it will be an opportunity to see what our young women can accomplish,” Distinguished Young Women local chairman Susan Keith said.
The judges will score them in each category and there will be a first and second alternate winner at the end of the night.
“We’re providing over $16,000 in cash college scholarships,” Keith said.
The winner will receive $2,000, first runner up receives $1,500, second alternate receives $1,000.
From there, the Distinguished Young Women will give overall scholarship prizes in categories such as overall talent and overall fitness.
“There is also Spirit DYW which is who the girls choose based on the characteristics of a Distinguished Young Woman,” Keith said.
Starkville Women’s Club provides a $250 scholarship for the winner of the “Be Your Best Self” essay.
“They’ve been preparing for several weeks for this night so all the practices, all the mock interviews, everything that we’ve been doing to this point is preparing them for Saturday night,” she said.
A new DYW is chosen each year, who will then compete with the state program in Meridian against various winners from Mississippi.
The state winner will compete at the national level in Mobile, Alabama against other state representatives of DYW.
Lori Feng was the Distinguished Young Woman of Starkville for 2019 and went to compete at the state level earning Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi 2019.
Feng will represent Mississippi at nationals in June.
“Personally, I really identify with the ‘Be Your Best Self’ motto as DYW has taught me to be confident and true to myself,” Feng said.
“The program has also inspired me to become more well-rounded. I have always been more focused on my academics but DYW has shown me that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is just as crucial,” she said.
So far, Feng has won over $12,000 in college scholarships.
“I am so grateful for everything DYW has given me. College is undoubtedly expensive, and the scholarship money offered through this program is making my education much more feasible,” Feng said.
The Starkville Distinguished Young Women Program is part of the largest and oldest scholarship program in the
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country for high school women.
The mission is to empower young women to be leaders of tomorrow, to recognize their talents, leadership and academics.
“We really want to encourage everyone to come out and see these amazing young women because they’ve worked so hard over the past few weeks becoming more distinguished,” Keith said.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are sold at the door $12 for adults and $10 for students.
Reserved seating is still available for $15.
Programs can be purchased at the showcase for $3.
All proceeds are donated toward cash scholarships.