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Distinguished Young Women releases new promotional videoWe are pleased to announce the release of our new promotional video, a tool to use in furthering awareness of Distinguished Young Women across the country. Please take a moment to view the video, share with your friends and family, and pass along the empowering message of Distinguished Young Women!  | |
Distinguished Young Women Promotional Video
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Gulf Coast residents are invited to Rock the Runway in support of Distinguished Young Women
LIKE Rock the Runway on Facebook!
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Update from Katye Brock, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012  Hi everyone!
What an exciting year I have had! On top of receiving the honor of Distinguished Young Woman of America, I have relocated from my little town of Tullahoma, Tennessee to the big city of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee. I have had quite a year in Rocky Top Country; it's hard to believe I almost have one year of college under my belt. I have been so blessed this year, from finding new friends to mentoring young girls, college has kept me extremely busy!
My title has caused quite a buzz amongst my friends on campus. Whenever one finds out about my involvement in Distinguished Young Women, she immediately searches and finds the numerous videos from the National Finals on YouTube. I have been so honored and humbled to have the opportunity to represent this program throughout this year! In addition to being able to share it on UT's campus, I have had the immense pleasure of returning to Mobile, AL several times to represent the program at various events. From meeting world-famous tennis stars like Andy Roddick to participating in my first-ever Mardi Gras parade, I have gained many lifelong memories and friends through this program. It is truly the experience of a lifetime!
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My first Mardi Gras experience during the GoDaddy.com Bowl Mardi Gras parade!
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So, how do I spend my time (besides endless hours of studying, of course!)?
I have begun volunteering as a mentor in the Knoxville area Girls on the Run program. Girls on the Run is a mentoring program for elementary school girls in 3rd-5th grades in which college girls train them for a 5K race. Each Tuesday and Thursday, I go to a local elementary school where I have a group of 15 girls to train and counsel. At every practice, we have a lesson that emphasizes a certain life skill (such as positivity, values, self-image, etc.) and a workout that ultimately trains the girls to run a 5K in late April. My fellow mentor, Allie, and I also provide a healthful snack, which seems to be the girls' favorite part of each practice! I love having the opportunity to make an impact in these young girls' lives!
I have found a home and family in UT's Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM). Through the BCM, I have gained the best friends I could ever ask for, as well as a solid group of mentors to guide me through both my academics and life experiences. At the BCM, we are extremely active in our pursuits of furthering God's kingdom. We spend our time participating in bible studies, worship services, and ministries. We have a worship service entitled TNT (Thursday Nights Together) each Thursday night, and I have had the pleasure of being able to lead worship as part of the praise team. I am also a member of a "family group," where older students at "The B" are the "parents," and freshmen are the "children." Right now, my family group is reading the popular Christian book entitled Crazy Love. The BCM also utilizes campus events to spread the Word of God. We recently participated in the All Campus Event All Sing, a choir competition between different groups on campus. It was a bonding experience for us, and we got to share the Gospel with the 2,000 people in the audience! We also won the competition with our Oh Brother, Where art Thou? theme. I have been so spiritually fulfilled this year!
So, while college hasn't been a cakewalk (Uh...exam week!), this year has been a growing experience for me. This year has caused me to excitedly anticipate what lies ahead for me at UT and beyond. I am still planning on declaring a major in International Studies, with a concentration in global economy and politics. My career could take me various places, but I hope to either end up working for Disney or with International Missions to help free imprisoned Christians around the world. I am forever grateful to Distinguished Young Women for helping me reach my goals. God bless you all, and thank you for your support!
- Katye
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National Be Your Best Self Week set for April 23-27
Scholarship opportunity offered for Distinguished Young Women participants at all levels
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Katye Brock, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012, during her National Be Your Best Self Week presentation last year at the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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Following three successful years of outreach across the United States, Distinguished Young Women is gearing up for the fourth annual National Be Your Best Self Week to be held April 23-27. During this week-long effort, Distinguished Young Women participants across the country will positively impact the lives of girls and boys in their communities by bringing the simple and motivating message of the Be Your Best Self program into Boys & Girls Clubs, schools and other community organizations. Participants create unique presentations to teach the program's five points: Be healthy, Be involved, Be studious, Be ambitious, and Be responsible. Last year, the Be Your Best Self message impacted more than 5,000 young people.
For the second year, Distinguished Young Women will be awarding a $500 scholarship to one young woman who presented the Be Your Best Self program during National Be Your Best Self Week. Click here for more information on the Distinguished Outreach Award.
Join us in spreading the Be Your Best Self message during National Be Your Best Self Week! You can show your support by joining the National Be Your Best Self Week event on Facebook  and Tweeting  using the hashtag #NationalBYBSWeek.
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Sponsor Spotlight
City of Mobile
 The City of Mobile has been home to the headquarters of Distinguished Young Women for the past 55 years. The office is located in the Historic Quigley Mansion owned by the City. Our National Finals take place in the Mobile Civic Center in the heart of downtown Mobile, within walking distance to several first-class hotels, restaurants, parks, and attractions. The City Council, comprised of President Reggie Copeland, Jermaine Burrell, William Carroll, Gina Gregory, Bess Rich, Fred Richardson, and John Williams, also contributes financially to Distinguished Young Women through a grant process proposed by Mayor Sam Jones. In exchange, Distinguished Young Women highlights the City of Mobile in all of our publications, through our on-line presence, and within every state; brings thousands of people to the City each June for national finals, and this year provided a nationally televised program on the Tennis Channel, featuring Mobile and the Gulf Coast attractions. We are grateful for the continued support of our City Government.
http://www.cityofmobile.org
Mobile County
 Mobile County has also been a continuous supporter for Distinguished Young Women. Through the hotel occupancy revenue, the County provides financial support for our program and the annual production of the National Finals in Mobile. The Mobile County Commission is comprised of Connie Hudson, President; Merceria Ludgood; and Mike Dean. Each of these Commissioners supports our program and mission by participating in our various events, and interacting with the participants at National Finals. We appreciate their belief in our endeavors to help young women reach their full potential!
http://www.mobilecountyal.gov/
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Distinguished Young Women Class of 2012 grows to 41!
As of today, 41 states have selected their Distinguished Young Woman for 2012! We welcome the following outstanding young women to the Distinguished Young Women Class of 2012:
From left to right: Sierra Terrell, Maryland; Bethany Mlinar, South Carolina; Anna-Marie Arhberg, Oklahoma; Lizabeth Marquart, Missouri; Lexee Hill, Tennessee; Mallory Pitts, Mississippi; Mary-Clayton Gilbert, Georgia; Emily Redmond, Louisiana; Carolyne Henry, Pennsylvania; Hannah Joo, California; Julia Carlson, Nebraska; Kendall Earl, Washington; Boni Yraguen, Oregon; Maggie Saylor, Delaware; Jeanette Morelan, Wisconsin; Dea Biancarelli, Montana; Jennifer Pruett, West Virginia; Miso Jang, Idaho; Stephanie Brady, New Hampshire; Keyna Hoselton, North Dakota; Hannah Matsunaga, Hawaii; Zoe Miller, Connecticut; Paige Wilson, Kentucky; Kaitlin Paxton, Utah; Rachel Appelo, Florida; Scarlett Walker, Alabama; Christina Houle, Michigan; Christina Maxwell, North Carolina; Cosette Fife, Arizona; Aria Stiles, Minnesota; Chole McLaughlin, Indiana; Stephanie Yasechko, Ohio; Marin Helppie-Schmieder, Texas; Emily Thomas, Massachusetts; Lulama Moyo, Maine; Chandler Cross, Rhode Island; Rachael Ostrem, Iowa; Lauren Hoppa, Colorado; Michelle Seywald, Virginia; Alinia Houser, South Dakota; Sierra Harland, New Mexico.
Click here to learn more about the National Finals Class of 2012!
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Donate to Distinguished Young WomenWhen considering your 2012 contributions, please remember Distinguished Young Women and the more than 4,000 young women we will impact this year alone. Your contribution goes directly into the program to further and sustain our mission across the country, produce the national program in Mobile, Alabama and provide college scholarship awards to participants.
Click here to donate!
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Get Connected with Distinguished Young Women We invite you to take a minute to visit Distinguished Young Women on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Stay connected and join in the conversation!   In addition, please take a minute to visit our newly launched "Be Distinguished" blog. With wisdom and advice from 16 of last year's National Finals participants, this blog is geared towards providing relevant content for young women on a variety of topics. Our contributors provide timely and fresh perspectives on matters relating to what it means to "be distinguished" in today's society. 
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Get Connected
Donate Whether you are able to contribute financially, provide in-kind services or help us secure a new sponsor, we appreciate your efforts to support Distinguished Young Women. Click here for more info or contact Ann Sirmon, Development Director, at Ann@DistinguishedYW.org. Social Networks
Join us on  Facebook,  Twitter and  YouTube. Volunteer If you are interested in volunteering with Distinguished Young Women, please visit www.DisitinguishedYW.org and contact the state or local program nearest to you. For Gulf Coast residents interested in volunteering at National Headquarters, please contact Valerie Shantazio at Valerie@DistinguishedYW.org. |
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