The annual Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale program will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Magnolia School Auditorium. Soroptimist International of Oakdale has sponsored the scholarship program for the past 35 years. Oakdale High School senior Jessica Birchall currently holds the title of Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2023.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. The mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Shoe Station and the Barkin Family, Gant Travel Management, the Coffeen Family, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.
Oakdale’s program features 13 participants from Oakdale High and Oakdale Charter School’s Class of 2024: Hannah Haas, Taylor Hay, Hazel Hunter, Kaci Jericoff, Amiyah Lemos, Madison McDonald, Grace Miller, Ximena Record, Isabella Salzer, Jenna Sanders, Danielle Sandoval-Bautista, Brooke Wheat, and Ella Wilson. They will compete in five categories: Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, Interview, and Self Expression for the Distinguished Young Woman of Oakdale title as well as category and other scholarship awards. The participant selected as Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman will go on to compete in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2024 program this summer.
The program will also showcase last year’s participants including Haven Cating, Brooklyn Gonzalez, Breanna Guillermo, Laura Hynes, Kennedy Jones, Rielly Jones and Jessica Zepeda, in addition to Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Jessica Birchall. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and students and may be purchased at the event. The doors will open for tickets and seating at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Nancy Lilly 209-607-7605 or Email sioakdale@soroptimist.net.
This week, the first six participants, listed in alphabetical order, are featured: Hannah Haas, Taylor Hay, Hazel Hunter, Kaci Jericoff, Amiyah Lemos, and Madison McDonald. Their portraits were provided courtesy of Antoinette Ryun.
Hannah Haas
With an interest in helping children, following graduation from Oakdale High School, Hannah would like to attend Stanislaus State University and major in liberal studies with the career goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. Outside of OHS, Hannah participates in gymnastics. Hannah has served as a counselor at the Foothill Horizons Sixth Grade Camp. Her interests include trucks, the outdoors, kids, and traveling. Supporting Hannah in all of her endeavors are her mom and stepdad, Michelle and Troy Andersen, and siblings, Tristen, Anthony, Elon, Kiegan, Connor, and Landon.
Taylor Hay
With the career goal of becoming a business attorney, Taylor would like to major in English at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, following graduation from Oakdale High School. Taylor is active on the OHS campus participating in track and field and cheerleading. She is also a member of the Leadership class and serves as ASB Secretary. Taylor’s achievements include membership in the California Scholarship Federation, OHS Academic Block O, and OHS Varsity Block O for track and field. She also received Valley Oak League Third Place and Second Place awards for the high jump her freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Taylor participates in dance and received a music video scholarship at a Hollywood Connection Dance Convention. She has volunteered her time weekly as a junior dance teacher at her dance studio since the eighth grade. In her free time, Taylor enjoys reading and writing. She also enjoys traveling, learning, and school. Supporting Taylor in all that she does are her parents Taran and Tami Hay and sister Caitlin.
Hazel Hunter
Following graduation from Oakdale Charter High School, Hazel would like to attend Brigham Young University, Provo, to study computer science with the career goal of becoming a data scientist. A member of the Oakdale High School Band and Drumline, Hazel and her fellow percussionists won First Place for Drumline at the Santa Cruz Band Review in 2021 and 2022. Hazel studies dance at the Central West Ballet company in Modesto. She is also active in her youth group at church. Besides dancing and playing the drums, Hazel enjoys skiing and playing the piano. Her other interests include reading, math, and music. Encouraging Hazel every step of the way are her parents Andrew and Angela Hunter and brothers Calvin and Emmett.
Kaci Jericoff
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Kaci plans to attend either Montana State or Wyoming State universities to study agriculture with the goal of owning a flower shop and having a farm. Kaci is active in sports at OHS as a member of the Varsity Basketball, Water Polo, and Volleyball teams. She has received her Varsity Block O for sports. Kaci has also earned her Academic Block O. Kaci’s community service activities include assisting the Oakdale Rescue Mission with feeding the homeless, serving at the Salvation Army, and helping with a toy and food drive. Kaci enjoys reading and collecting vintage books as well as writing poems. Encouraging Kaci in all of her endeavors are her parents Jason and Courtney Jericoff and siblings Kali, Karli, and Kaili.
Amiyah Lemos
With an interest in helping people, Amiyah would like to attend San Diego State University to study nursing or liberal studies to become a teacher. Amiyah is active at Oakdale High School in the Reading/Book Club and performs community service with the S Club where she has helped with the Center for Human Services’ block party set up, Nazarene Church drive-through nativity set up, Trick or Treating for canned goods, and pancake breakfast fundraiser. Amiyah has also served as a counselor at Foothill Horizons Outdoor Education Camp for two years. Outside of school, Amiyah enjoys working out at the gym, taking care of her siblings, watching television with her family, and practicing yoga. Amiyah’s interests include U.S. History, The Walking Dead, hockey, horror movies, and cooking. Supporting Amiyah in all of her endeavors are her mom and stepfather, Nicolette and Isaac Torres, and sisters Jasmine, Christina, Amiena, and Meila.
Madison McDonald
Madison plans to attend Stanislaus State University after graduation from Oakdale High School to study nursing with the career goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. Active in her community, Madison is a member of the OHS S Club, volunteers at her church twice weekly, and has distributed toys to victims of violent crimes with the Stockton Police Department. Madison received the Eagle Award from Great Valley Academy and Student of the Month recognition at OHS. Madison’s interests include reading, drawing, photography, watching movies and shows, sewing, thrift shopping, cooking, gardening, listening to music, crocheting, and animals. Encouraging Madison in all that she does are her parents Kevin McDonald and Angela Katz, and brothers Kenneth, Kyle, and Christopher.
Next week, look for information on the remaining seven DYW hopefuls: Grace Miller, Ximena Record, Isabella Salzer, Jenna Sanders, Danielle Sandoval-Bautista, Brooke Wheat, and Ella Wilson.
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Tara Principe, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Tara@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.
For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit www.oakdalesoroptimist.org and the Oakdale Soroptimist Facebook page.
