June 2013
Upcoming Events
National Headquarters

56th National Finals
June 27, 28 & 29
Mobile, AL
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Countdown to National Finals
0 days left until the 56th Distinguished Young Women National Finals! June 27, 28 and 29, 2013 in Mobile, Alabama.

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
56th National Finals - An Inside Look
On Sunday, June 16, 50 of the nation's best and brightest college bound women arrived in Mobile for an experience of a lifetime. Over the past 12 days, the state representatives have participated in community service projects, team building exercises, and exciting events throughout Mobile. Today marks the official start of the 56th National Finals with the First Preliminary at 7pm CST followed by the Second Preliminary on Friday, June 28 and Finals Night on Saturday, June 29.

 

 

WATCH the 56th National Finals LIVE!
 
Finals Night will be streamed live on Saturday, June 29 beginning at 7pm CST. Visit www.DistinguishedYW.org and click the button for the webcast to watch!

  

Q & A with Casey Noblett, Creative Director/Choreographer

 

Casey Noblett
Creative Director/Choreographer 

What was the inspiration behind this year's National Finals production?
We really wanted go trendy, current and contemporary to relate to the up and coming generations of Distinguished Young Women recruits. The set, music and design are definitely more industrial and edgy and the show has a totally new look.

Are there any new elements to this year's show that our audience members/webcast viewers can look forward to?
I don't want to give away any surprises, so you will want to tune in on Saturday as we have some really special things going on.

How do you feel the state representatives have grown through their rehearsals and preparation for the show?
This group of state representatives has been amazing. They have come into rehearsal with such a great attitude and work ethic. Monday was our first day in the theatre and Robbie and I were amazed at how strong the show looked already!

Are there any other fun facts or behind the scenes info you want to share about the show?
Christina Maxwell has been great and we are really excited about her involvement in this years show. With a great musical theatre background, having her be so comfortable onstage has allowed us to push the limits in production.

 

 

Follow us on Social Media for real time updates from National Finals

 

Looking for up-to-the-minute updates on the Class of 2013? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube! We will be posting throughout each night of competition, and from various locations and events associated with National Finals. Don't forget to use the official National Finals hashtag:

 

#DYW2013   

 

Like us on Facebook 

 

Follow us on Twitter 

 

View our videos on YouTube 

  

 

Instagram: @distinguishedyw
 
 

Fan Favorite Contest - Support your favorite Distinguished Young Woman!

Show you state spirit and support your favorite Distinguished Young Woman by casting your vote in the 56th National Finals Fan Favorite Contest. You can vote once per day on Facebook. The contest will conclude on Saturday, June 29. The winner will be announced on the Distinguished Young Women Facebook page at 8pm CST.

 
56th National Finals in Photos

See photos from the entire two week National Finals experience. Visit www.fpvision.com to view photos, download and order prints.

UPDATE: $56K for 56

As we continue our annual campaign with a goal to raise $56,000 in honor of our 56th anniversary, we invite you to make your gift TODAY!

 

OHIO is the winner of our recent state challenge, bringing in the most individual donors (alumnae, volunteers, and supporters) who made gifts to Distinguished Young Women. The Distinguished Young Women of Ohio program will receive a $250 cash scholarship to go toward scholarship awards at their next state program.  

 

As of today, we have raised approximately 45% of our $56,000 goal for our annual campaign! Thank you to each of you who have donated toward furthering the mission of Distinguished Young Women.

 

Join us today in celebrating our 56th year and supporting our mission to positively impact the lives of young women!

 

 

Click the link below to donate today!

 

 

Are you a past participant of the program? If so, click the link below to make your donation.

Volunteers Make it Happen!

Name:
Pam Patterson

Program:
Distinguished Young Women

Current Volunteer Role:

General Chairman for National Finals

 

How long have you served in a volunteer role with Distinguished Young Women?
Served on various committees, from being a host family to meals committee.  From there, chaired the committee now known as Family and Friends, and  completing my seventh year as General Chairman for National Finals

When/how did you get "hooked" on Distinguished Young Women?
In 1991, we served as host family for Kimberly Fisher, Pennsylvania's Junior Miss, and Meredith Bussen, Missouri's Junior Miss.  During the course of National Finals, I realized the impact the program made on the lives of young women from all walks of life.  One of the participants was from a state far away and through the college-granted scholarship opportunities offered by Troy University, this young lady chose to come to Alabama to attend college.  I understood from that moment the merits of this program and knew it was something with which I wanted to be affiliated.  Eric, my husband, became just as involved as I, and together we are completing our 23rd National Finals and hope to be involved for at least that many more!

What is your "day job?"
After 29 years in early childhood, elementary, and special education, I retired from Mobile County Public Schools in August, 2004.  In January, 2005 I was employed part-time by the University of South Alabama and currently serve in the Department of Leadership and Teacher Education as a Clinical Instructor, working with elementary schools in the area to place students for pre-service teaching experiences.

What is your favorite aspect of the Distinguished Young Women program?
Getting to know the girls and what makes them "tick" - a great place to do that is at Camp Grace.  Through participant engagement in activities designed to build and strengthen relationships, not only do the participants get to know one another, but the volunteers get to know them as well - there's nothing like "sleeping" in a rec hall with 50 girls!.  Seriously, though, watching 50 girls interact on a close personal level helps to define their entire Distinguished Young Women experience - it really is about the "sisterhood"!
   
What has been your most rewarding moment as a volunteer for Distinguished Young Women? 
Every moment I am with them is a reward...it is truly a labor of love - for the girls, for the program - knowing that I what I did, might in some small way, help 50 young women to have the experience of a lifetime. Whether it's "glistening" in the heat, chillaxin' at the movies, or eating eight dozen doughnuts everyday, it's really not about my moment but rather theirs!
 

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 Spotlight - National Sponsors & States Club
Distinguished Young Women is grateful to each of our National and States Club sponsors who make each year's program possible through their generous contributions toward scholarships and the ongoing operation of the nationwide program.

NATIONAL SPONSORS
STATES CLUB SPONSORS

BancorpSouth
Dr. and Mrs. William E. Barrick
Beard Equipment Company
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
Callis Communications
Castles & Crowns
Distinguished Young Women Foundation Board
Distinguished Young Women Past Presidents
Eastern Shore Toyota and Eastern Shore Hyundai
ECM Home Health Services
EGM, LLC
Elcan and Associates, Inc.
Evonik Corporation
The Fuse Project
Joy M. and Jimmy Grodnick
The Guarantee Title Company, L.L.C.
Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
Hoar Construction and Hoar Program Management
iBERIABANK
Jim Barnes Enterprises Inc.
Phil and Elizabeth Kaiser
McConnell Buick GMC
McKinney Petroleum Equipment
Ben and Laura Meisler
Arlene Mitchell
Mobile Gas - A Sempra Company
Mobile New Car and Truck Dealers Association
Sandy and Brennan Myers
New Car Dealers Association
New Horizons Credit Union
Palmer's Toyota Superstore
Pam and Eric Patterson
PNC Bank
Regions Bank
Roberts Brothers Commercial and Property Management, Inc.
Robinson Brothers Lincoln Volvo
Vicki Rosetti-Applewhite
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Mr. and Mrs. Norvelle Smith
The SSI Group, Inc.
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. -
Jeff Howard, Senior VP Investments
Thompson Engineering, Inc.
Cynthia and Rollins Tindell
Trustmark National Bank
VERGE
VT Halter Marine, Inc.
WALA Fox 10 / WFNA The CW
Wells Fargo
Wintzell's Oyster House