A class of 13 hopefuls will vie for the Distinguished Young Woman title on Saturday evening, Feb. 25 at the Magnolia Elementary School Auditorium in Oakdale.
The annual Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale program is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Oakdale; the organization has sponsored this scholarship program for the past 35 years.
Oakdale’s program features 13 participants from Oakdale High and Oakdale Charter School’s Class of 2024. This week, we feature the final seven candidates, listed in alphabetical order: Grace Miller, Ximena Record, Isabella Salzer, Jenna Sanders, Danielle Sandoval-Bautista, Brooke Wheat, and Ella Wilson. Their portraits were provided courtesy of Antoinette Ryun.
The Feb. 15 issue included information on participants Hannah Haas, Taylor Hay, Hazel Hunter, Kaci Jericoff, Amiyah Lemos and Madison McDonald.
Tickets to attend the program 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.; the program begins at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Nancy Lilly 209-607-7605 or Email sioakdale@soroptimist.net.
Grace Miller
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Grace would like to attend Notre Dame University and study to become a nurse or physical therapist. At OHS, Grace is a member of the Varsity Basketball and Volleyball teams. She also participates in the Drama Club. Grace has received numerous awards including the Mustang Award, Best Actress in a Musical Award, Most Improved Player for Basketball, Most Improved Player for Volleyball, Doing High School Right, and I’m Third Award, her summer camp’s highest honor. Active in her community, Grace has painted parking lot lines for a neighborhood church, sings with her church’s youth group worship team, and performed the National Anthem for Love Oakdale and Oakdale Veteran’s Parade events. In addition, Grace has assisted with a Salvation Amy Christmas gift and food drive as well as worked with students with Down syndrome. Grace enjoys sports, musical theatre, playing the ukulele, singing, and travel. Supporting Grace in all of her endeavors is her mom Jenna Miller.
Ximena Record
With interests in psychology and the justice system, following graduation from Oakdale High School, Ximena plans to attend a junior college before transferring to a university to study pre-law. At OHS, Ximena is active in the S Club, Color Guard, and Music Department as a member of the orchestra. Ximena’s Color Guard team received the Winter Guard Champions Award. Ximena also received an orchestra section award for her efforts in music. In her free time, Ximena volunteers at the Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. Ximena enjoys reading, drawing, cooking, baking, stretching, and learning. Encouraging Ximena in all of her endeavors are her parents Dion and Isa Record and sisters Monty and Frida.
Isabella Salzer
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Isabella would like to attend UC Davis and study veterinary medicine with the career goal of becoming an equine/big animal veterinarian. Isabella is a member of the OHS swim team and has earned her Varsity Block O for swimming. She has earned her Academic Block O, was nominated last year for the National Society of High School Scholars, and currently serves on the School Site Council as Junior Class Representative. Isabella’s achievements in swimming include 2022 CIF Sections Qualifier in three events, Valley Oak League Second Place for the 400 freestyle relay, and Third Place in the 100 backstroke at the Merced County Swim Championships. Her community service activities include ranch work helping train, feed, and care for horses, fundraising for Oakdale Aquatics, tutoring in math, science, ELA, and social studies, ranch sitting, and babysitting. Isabella also enjoys horsemanship, hiking, gardening, reading, writing, painting, drawing, cooking, collecting, big animal science, horticulture, and literature. Supporting Isabella in all that she does are her parents David and Christine Salzer and brother Bohdan.
Jenna Sanders
After graduating from Oakdale High School, Jenna would like to attend Texas A&M and study agricultural law or pediatric occupational therapy. At OHS, Jenna is a member of the volleyball team and works as a math tutor. She was selected Student of the Month as well as Homecoming Princess, and was a finalist for the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Junior Achievement Award. Jenna participates in FFA and currently serves as Vice President. She also serves as a Stanislaus-Tuolumne County Sectional FFA Officer. Jenna’s FFA awards include First Place for Sectional Impromptu Public Speaking, Sectional Creed Public Speaking, Sectional Job Interview Contest, State B.I.G. Contest, and Livestock Judging at Chico and Fresno State universities. She is a member of her church’s youth group and has volunteered at Love Oakdale community service events, the Oakdale Rescue Mission, and a local crab feed. Jenna is a sales assistant at Bloomingcamp Ranch and a data technician/assistant for a California compliance service. She enjoys horse polo, skiing, watersports, outdoor activities, reading, and listening to music. Supporting Jenna in all of her endeavors are her parents Jeff and Joanna Sanders and sister Jessica.
Danielle Sandoval-Bautista
After graduating from Oakdale High School, Danielle would like to attend Stanislaus State University to study nursing with the career goal of becoming an ER nurse. Danielle is a member of the OHS S club providing community service at school and in her community. She also volunteers at her church. Danielle was previously enrolled in AP Spanish, successfully passing the AP test, and has received the Bilingual Seal Award. In her free time, Danielle enjoys dancing, singing, reading, drawing, fashion sketching, baking, and typography. Danielle loves animals and appreciates nature. Her other interests include medicine and its importance and significance to our world, cultures, and the outdoors. Encouraging Danielle in all of her endeavors are her parents Amada and Daniel Sandoval.
Brooke Wheat
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Brooke would like to attend San Diego State University and study business. Brooke is active in several sports at OHS including basketball, volleyball, swimming, and track. For her efforts, Brooke earned Best Offensive Player for volleyball, Valley Oak League’s All League Award for basketball, and Coach’s Specialty Stroke Award in swimming. Brooke has also earned a Leadership Excellence Award and Kiwanis Club Award. Other activities enjoyed by Brooke include gymnastics, running, traveling, snowboarding, painting, and working out. Brooke has served her community volunteering her time with food and toy distributions at Modesto Junior College and the Salvation Army. She also volunteers her time taking care of children at her church’s daycare. Encouraging Brooke in all that she does are her parents Billy and Stephanie Wheat and siblings Jacob and Alexis.
Ella Wilson
Ella aspires to attend college and earn a master’s degree in a subject that most interests her following graduation from Oakdale High School. At OHS, Ella is a member of the Color Guard team. Her team was named 2022 Central Valley Guard and Percussion Circuit Scholastic Regional AA Champions. Ella also keeps active with snowboarding and cheerleading. In her free time, Ella enjoys listening to music, playing videogames, reading, spinning rifle, and stargazing with her telescope. Supporting Ella in all of her endeavors are her parents John and Christina Wilson.
Oakdale High School senior Jessica Birchall currently holds the title of Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2023.
This year’s participants 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.
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.
