January Newsletter - Gearing up for National Be Your Best Self Week

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www.DistinguishedYW.org

Countdown to National Finals

146 days left until the 56th Distinguished Young Women National Finals! June 27, 28 and 29, 2013 in Mobile, Alabama.

Meet the Class of 2013!

About Us

The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.

Distinguished Young Women

National Headquarters

751 Government Street

Mobile, AL 36602

(251) 438-3621

Distinguished Young Women set to celebrate fifth annual National Be Your Best Self Week

After four successful and inspiring years, Distinguished Young Women is excited to celebrate its fifth annual National Be Your Best Self Week, a nationwide outreach effort designed to positively impact the lives of children across the country. The week long event is set for Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26.

Distinguished Young Women in all 50 states will plan and coordinate events at their local Boys and Girls Club and other community organizations in order to expose as many children as possible to the positive message of the Be Your Best Self program. They will utilize their creativity and draw on their own personal experiences and talents to develop presentations that teach the programs five simple principles:

Be Healthy
Be Ambitious
Be Involved
Be Responsible
Be Studious

Distinguished Young Women who present the Be Your Best Self program during National Be Your Best Self Week will learn the impact they can make on younger generations as role models and also the importance of engaging in service to their community.

For more information on National Be Your Best Self Week, click here.

Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012, poses with the kids following her National Be Your Best Self Week presentation last year at a local Boys and Girls Club in her home state of North Carolina.

Distinguished Young Woman of America participates in GoDaddy.com Bowl Game and events

Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012, returned to Mobile, Alabama after the start of the year to participate in the GoDaddy.com Bowl festivities and game. During her five days in Mobile, Christina was featured at several Bowl Week events and performed the National Anthem at the Mayor's Luncheon on Friday, January 4 and at the bowl game on Sunday, January 6, in addition to performing God Bless America following the third quarter of the game. Christina joined the players from Kent State and Arkansas State for a visit with the children at the University of South Alabama Children's & Women's Hospital, and also rode in the GoDaddy.com Bowl Mardi Gras parade through the streets of downtown Mobile. Christina represented Distinguished Young Women with warmth and grace throughout her time in Mobile and left a lasting impression on all who she encountered.

To see photos from Christina's time in Mobile for the GoDaddy.com Bowl, visit the photo album on Facebook.

National Anthem - Christina Maxwell - Distinguished Young Woman of America

Click play to watch Christina's performance of the National Anthem at the start of the GoDaddy.com Bowl game on Sunday, January 6 in Mobile, Alabama.

Volunteers Make it Happen!

Name:

Nancy Thompson

Program:

Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas

Current Volunteer Role: Chairman

How long have you served in a volunteer role with Distinguished Young Women?

Arkansas Local Chairman (5 years) and Arkansas State Chairman (this is my 10th year) - 15 years total

When/how did you get "hooked" on Distinguished Young Women?

Our daughter, Tiffeny Thompson Crow, was Arkansas' Junior Miss in 1990. Because of Tiffeny's wonderful experience with this program, my husband and I decided to get involved.

What is your "day job?"

I retired two years ago after working 32 years with Special Needs students. My job presently is subbing on the high school and Jr. high level and Distinguished Young Women.....smile!

What is your favorite aspect of the Distinguished Young Women program?

The memories from Arkansas's Junior Miss and Distinguished Young Women are absolutely wonderful. I have met over 300 outstanding young ladies from across our state - and their families - over the past 15 years, and even more girls from the Local and At Large programs. The volunteers I have met both locally, statewide, and nationally have been very special. Many of our state winners have come back to the state program either as a judge, to entertain, or to volunteer in other capacities. To see how they have grown and matured into these fabulous women, to see the self-esteem they have developed and knowing that this program helped develop them to be the strong young women that they have become makes me very proud.

Across the country, more than 17,000 volunteers make it possible for Distinguished Young Women programs to take place at the local, state and national level. Each month, we will feature one of our outstanding volunteers to give a closer look at the individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our mission is carried out nationwide. Interested in becoming a Distinguished Young Women volunteer in your community, click here to locate a program near you.

Sponsor Welcome - Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation

Barbara Barrington Jones (left) with Distinguished Young Women Board President Joy Grodnick (right).

We are pleased to welcome the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation as a new national sponsor of Distinguished Young Women for 2013. Barbara has been working with teenage girls for the last 30 years and directing camps for the last 20 years. She has authored 6 books and travels worldwide as a professional speaker for the National Speakers Association. Barbara has been a long time volunteer and supporter of Distinguished Young Women. With the support of the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation Distinguished Young Women will be able to positively affect the lives of young women throughout the nation.