Grace Miller, Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman, competed in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2024 State Finals along with 14 upcoming high school seniors in Bakersfield on Saturday, July 15.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Its 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.
The competition consisted of five categories: Scholastics, Interview, Fitness, Talent, and Self Expression. For the Scholastics category, Miller’s academic records were evaluated by a collegiate level educator. She also received a 10-minute personal interview with the program’s judges for the Interview category. For the Fitness category, Miller skillfully executed an aerobic fitness routine that included sit ups and pushups. For the Talent category, her vocal performance of “Suddenly Seymore” from the musical Little Shop of Horrors received thunderous applause from the audience. Finally, Miller displayed her public speaking abilities and confidence in the Self Expression category when she answered the question, “In 15 years, if you were to write a book about your life, what would the title be?”
Two other categories included in the program were the Be Your Best Self essay contest and the Spirit Award. Miller was selected by her fellow participants for one of two Spirit Awards recognizing her “amicable and lovely positive character” and for “creating an environment where all individuals felt welcome and celebrated”.
Miller earned a $200 college scholarship and received her award from Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2023 Jessica Birchall, who returned as a “Has Been” to help with the showcase. A total of $11,900 in college scholarships was awarded in category and place awards. Noor El Kereamy, Distinguished Young Woman of Bakersfield, was named California’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2024.
Miller and her fellow participants spent a week in Bakersfield preparing for the competition as well as participating in life skills workshops with guest speakers including the Mayor of Bakersfield. Topics included how to be their best selves in everything they do, budgeting, and how to manage student loans. In addition, they performed community service at a community garden.
After the competition, Miller said, “My experience at state was very rewarding! Although we all worked really hard throughout the week, and all got very tired, the hard work brought us all together, which I’m beyond thankful for. The friends I made at state, the incredible volunteers, and everyone who contributed, made my experience outstanding.”
Oakdale’s program is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Oakdale. The next local program for the Class of 2025 will be held in 2024 and is open to junior class girls that reside in the 95361 zip code area or attend an Oakdale high school. For more information about the Distinguished Young Women scholarship program, visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit the website www.oakdalesoroptimist.org, view them on Facebook at Oakdale Soroptimist, or Instagram at soroptimist_of_oakdale.
