The annual Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale program, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Oakdale, was hosted Saturday, Feb. 21, at Magnolia School Auditorium. Oakdale High School senior and current Distinguished Young Woman Rachelle Pabalan passed her title to Amy Craig, a junior at Oakdale High School. In addition to the $2,500 scholarship for the title award, Amy received two $200 scholarships in the Talent and Interview categories. Scholarship awards were also presented to Makayla Johnson, Second Place; Jessica Gorman, Third Place; Hannah Copher, Fourth Place; and Haley Dyson, Fifth Place. Jessica also received two $200 scholarships in the Self Expression and Spirit categories and Hannah received a $200 scholarship in the Fitness Category. Jasmine Yong earned a $200 scholarship in the Scholastics category and a $250 scholarship in the Community Service category. Other participants included Emma Boggs, Jenna Ingles, and Jessika Lizama.

A total of $6,750 in scholarships were awarded from donations received from the Oakdale Lions Club, Oakdale Rotary Club, Oak Valley Community Bank, Fran Krieger Agency - Farmers Insurance, Century 21 M&M Realty, Dr. Chet and Parnima Mahida, Dr. A. Lee Scaief, Drs. Jeff and Jodi Sceville, and Valley First Credit Union. Soroptimist International of Oakdale provided the title award.

Amy Craig will now represent Oakdale at California’s Distinguished Young Women program July 23 through 25 in Bakersfield for an opportunity to earn additional scholarship awards.

Distinguished Young Women, formerly Junior Miss, is a national scholarship program which recognizes, rewards, and encourages excellence in young women. Its mission is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership, and individual talents.

For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit www.oakdalesoroptimist.org.