| Upcoming Events |
National Headquarters
Wintzell's-Distinguished Young Women Tennis Classic
October 6, 2013 Copeland-Cox Tennis Center Mobile, AL Find out more...Sunday Night Sensation benefiting Distinguished Young Women
November 3, 2013 Mobile, AL Find out more...State ProgramsDistinguished Young Women of Montana
August 2, 2013
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| 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. Donate TODAY! |
| Countdown to National Finals |
329 days left until the 57th Distinguished Young Women National Finals! June 26, 27 and 28, 2014 in Mobile, Alabama.
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| 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
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Meet Nicole Renard - Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2013
|  Nicole Renard of Washington was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2013 during the 56th National Finals in Mobile, Alabama on June 29, 2013.
In her hometown of Kennewick, Washington, Nicole attended Kamiakin High School where she was an AP Scholar and member of the National Honor Society. A student of dance since the age of two, Nicole has trained in the disciplines of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and musical theatre, and has a passion for expressing herself through movement. Nicole also finds a creative outlet through her love of photography and began her own photography business as a freshman in high school.
A recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award, Nicole is committed to addressing needs in her community and founded "Coins for Kadlec," a fundraiser for the new Pediatric Unit at her local hospital. Nicole visited elementary schools to encourage students to donate coins and teach them about the impact they can make, even as children. "Coins for Kadlec" raised $4,000 and Nicole was able to present the check in person to the hospital foundation.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys producing videos for her YouTube channel and perusing Pinterest for new and challenging recipes to cook for her friends and family, especially baked goods.
Winning more than $39,000 in college scholarships and a gold medallion, Nicole will serve as the national representative of Distinguished Young Women throughout the year. She is a student at Chapman University in Orange County, California majoring in TV Broadcast Journalism. Nicole is the program's third national representative from Washington and the fourth young woman to be named the Distinguished Young Woman of America following the program's name change from America's Junior Miss in 2010.
Fun Facts About Nicole:
- Nicole has one sibling - her 20-year-old sister, Victoria.
- She is a collector of Ghirardelli chocolate squares, hotel room key cards, Mickey Mouse ears, rings, and colored skinny jeans.
- Her favorite class in high school was Leadership Class, which gave her the opportunity to emcee school assemblies, choreograph dances, paint posters and help plan the Homecoming parade.
- Pirates of the Caribbean is her favorite movie series and her favorite "princess" movie is Tangled.
- She indulges in ice cream and claims she could live off a bowl or two for every meal.
- Nicole is double jointed and can say the phrase "the cat is on fire" in 15 different languages.
- She has a secret dream of becoming an astronaut and being the first woman to walk on the moon.
 | | Nicole shares what it means to "Be Distinguished" and what the Distinguished Young Women program is all about in her recent Distinguished Young Women promo video. Take a look! |
Keep up with Nicole throughout the year by following her on Twitter: @DYWofAmerica |
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56th National Finals Recap
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As we move into our 2014 program year and begin making plans for the 57th National Finals, we reflect on the excitement and successes of our 2013 National Finals. - 25 individual young women shared in more than $116,000 in cash scholarships
- The Class of 2013 was comprised of:
- 42 National Honor Society Members
- 10 Valedictorians
- 4 Salutatorians
- 8 National Merit Scholars
- 19 Class Officers
- More than 180 state and local program volunteers from across the country traveled to Mobile to support their representative and take part in volunteer training opportunities
 | | Christina Maxwell, Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012, wowed the audience each night with her inspiring vocal performances. Thank you to Fancy Fanny's Bridal & Formal Wear (Chattanooga, TN) for providing portions of Christina's National Finals on-stage wardrobe. |
 | Top top ten finalists, pictured from left to right: Ciera Horton (FL, 2nd Runner Up); Alexandra Hochstetler (IN); Rachel Tunney (SC, 1st Runner Up, Spirit Award); Avian Brown (GA); Jean Elizabeth Miles (AL); Nicole Renard (WA, Distinguished Young Woman of America); Sydney Kirkegaard (WI); Mackenzie Ross (MS); Isha Jog (IL); Katelyn Pyfer (CO)
Click here for a complete listing of awards presented at the 56th National Finals! |
 | The Class of 2012 Has Beens put together a show-stopping performance for the 2013 Has Been show, a much loved tradition of the Distinguished Young Women program where the Has Beens "poke fun" at the program and the outgoing national representative.
The Class of 2012 Has Beens returning to Mobile for National Finals this year included: Scarlett Walker (AL), Chloe McLaughlin (IN), Emily Thomas (MA), Stephanie Brady (NH), Stephanie Yasechko (OH), Boni Yraguen (OR), Carly Henry (PA), Chandler Cross (RI), Ali Houser (SD), Kendall Earl (WA), Ana Villasenor (WY).
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DONATE TODAY! Win Prizes!
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 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!
GIVEAWAY TIME!! Any donation made to Distinguished Young Women before August 27, 2013 will automatically enter you to win a fantastic Distinguished Young Women prize package. All donations, from $5 to $5,000 help us reach our goal of impacting more young women every year. 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! |
We would like to express our thanks and recognize the many volunteers who helped make the 56th National Finals a success! The Distinguished Young Women National Finals Committee is a remarkable group of individuals who work tirelessly to take care of each and every detail before, during, and after our annual National Finals! |
Finals Chair
Pam Patterson
Chaperone
Kathy Latta
Contestants
Carole Hegwood Chair
Emily Baker
Dana Hawkins
Jeri Morley
Elizabeth Pullen
Caroline Shedd
LeAnne Tamblyn
Julie Walton
Jill Wood
Family & Friends
Rosanne Plash Chair
Monique Baugh
Brittany Davis
Lori Beth Graham
Carla Green
Bevin Plash
Brianne Plash
Margie Russell
Has Beens
Erin Kennemer Chair
Jeanne Chapman
Dick Coats
Sherry Coats
Chelsea Fenton
Katie Glover
Abbey Hufstetler
Hospitality
Carol Bishop Chair
Nancy Jones Co-Chair
Melissa Stowers Co-Chair
Bernita Andrews
Catherine Ashbee
Cindy Burgess
Julie Caminas
Cheryl Clemons
Barbara Hayes
Betty Hendrich
Liz Kaiser
Tracy Martin
Patti Norris
Kristin Ogden
Vicki Parker
Peggy Regan
Pat Richey
Terry Richey
Jill Ringold
Nancy Secor
Marie Solomon
Shelby Stringfellow
Michelle Wise
Host Families
Creath Townsend Chair
Amy Fesperman
Information
Kathy Rhinehart
Interns
Amelia Jacobs
Dominique King
Shelley Patrick
Becka Sasser
Katie Segers
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Judges
Holly Vinson Chair
Carolyn Bennett
Lynne Butler
Debbie Rice
Taylor Vinson
Mary Shelton Wells
Logistics
Bruce Triftshauser Chair
Don Thomas
Mardi Gras Ball
Cindy Larry
Medical
Alison Rudd Chair
Anjie Davis
Marci Jarrell
Linda Sands
Merchandise
Agnes Ivey Chair
Cindy Hightower
Paige Hightower
Kathy Saucier
Operations
Pat Hegwood Chair
Kris Shantazio
Photography
Brian Jordan
Seth Laubinger
Public Relations
Cassidy Grimes Chair
Katye Brock
Tara Henley
Zoe Miller
Heather Molnar
Katie Rei
Gabrielle Walter
Scholastics
Andrea Kent Chair
Susan Bailey
Mary Michael Campbell
Paula Loper
John Powell
Luci Whitworth
Security
Richard Ramey
Will Thompson
Transportation
Suzan Renfro Chair
Robbie Hansen
Rose Melton
Wardrobe
Beth Morgan Chair
Toney Alexsandria
Carlisha Bagsby
Libby Cotter
Alison Craft
Robin Jackson
Liz Reints
Johnny Weaver
Demetrice Westbrook
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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.
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