I am extremely grateful to Dee Ann Allen for her hard work and contributions to Distinguished Young Women, and to the Alumnae Council as its President, over the past five years.  Those of you who have met Dee Ann know what an amazing woman she is.  Like many of you, Dee Ann is the reason I became involved with the Council a few years ago.  I loved my Junior Miss experience, and since participating in the program, I had remained involved on the local level, but had never really known much about or considered joining the Alumnae Council until I met Dee Ann. Her enthusiasm and passion about the Council and about the program as a whole was inspiring, so when she asked me to serve on the Board, I was thrilled to do so.

In the past three years, I have been proud to work together with the exemplary women who serve on the Council Board to grow our membership, keep alumnae connected to our program and to each other, and help state and local programs in need.  I have thoroughly enjoyed attending the national finals and participating in alumnae activities and meetings, where I have had the chance to meet many of you. 

Our program has seen a lot of changes and challenges over the past several years, and I am thankful to Dee Ann for her leadership during that time.  I am also very thankful for those of you who continue to support Distinguished Young Women through your participation in the Council, and in other ways.  I am honored to have been asked to follow in Dee Ann's footsteps, and although I know doing so will be a tall order, I am ready to do my very best for the Council and our program to help us greet the future with success.  I look forward to working with all of you, and to a great year together.