CULLMAN, Ala. – Area high school junior girls are invited to learn about scholarship, leadership and personal growth opportunities at the Cullman County Distinguished Young Women informational meeting on Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church.
The program is part of the national Distinguished Young Women organization, a scholarship-based initiative that helps young women develop their full potential. Local chairman Felicia Carden said the program combines financial assistance with life skills training to prepare participants for future success.
“It’s a scholarship-based program, and it’s completely free to participate. Our mission is to empower young women to develop their full individual potential through scholarships and development opportunities,” said Carden.
Last year, the Cullman County program awarded about $10,000 in scholarships, with additional funding available at the state level. Colleges and universities, including Troy University, the University of Alabama, UAB and Auburn University, also offer scholarships to top participants. Cash scholarships can be used at any college for educational expenses, while some institutions provide additional awards to winners who choose to attend.
Additionally, the program highlights the importance of life skills such as public speaking, interview preparation and confidence-building. Participants take part in a week of activities leading up to the local showcase, including nightly practices and sessions with guest speakers focused on topics like managing anxiety and effective communication.
“We have people come in and speak to them on different subjects,” Carden said. “We’ve had authors talk about anxiety so the girls don’t let the program overwhelm them, and we have former participants come in to work on interview skills and public speaking.”
The DYW showcase is scheduled for June 13 at Wallace State Community College. The winner will advance to the state competition in Montgomery, where participants spend about 10 days preparing and competing. The state winner then moves on to the national program.
Carden said the program is not so much a beauty pageant but an opportunity to gain long-term benefits through networking and community connections. Participation in the program can stand out on resumes and signal a strong work ethic and leadership ability.
The program is open to all 11th-grade girls in Cullman County. Applications are available online at www.distinguishedyw.org. The deadline to register is April 15. Attendance at Saturday’s meeting is not required to apply.
Find out more at www.facebook.com/DYWofCullmanCounty.
