The annual Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale program will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. at Magnolia School Auditorium. Soroptimist International of Oakdale has sponsored the scholarship program for the past 34 years. Oakdale High School senior Reagan Oliveira currently holds the title of Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2022.

Oakdale’s program features eight participants from Oakdale High’s Class of 2023: Jessica Birchall, Haven Cating, Brooklyn Gonzalez, Breanna Guillermo, Laura Hynes, Kennedy Jones, Rielly Jones, and Jessica Zepeda. 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 totaling $7,850. The participant selected as Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman will go on to compete in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2023 program this summer.

The program will also showcase last year’s participants including Melissa Barajas, Victoria Blanc, Savannah Borba, Claire Cummins, Stephanie DeCavit, Madison Dessert, Sierra Hartwig, Makena McDonald, Jayden Mohr, Frida Record, Kierstyn Springer, and Brooklyn Tolboe, in addition to Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Reagan Oliveira. Talent category winner Claire Cummins will perform on the piano. 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 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Nancy Lilly 209-607-7605 or Email sioakdale@soroptimist.net. COVID protocols in effect will be followed.

Following, in alphabetical order, are the biographies provided by this year’s participants.

Jessica Birchall

With an interest in how people work, Jessica plans to attend a four-year university and study psychology. Jessica is active at Oakdale High School serving as Vice President of the S (Service) Club, is a member of the Varsity Volleyball team, and participates in musicals put on by the high school. Outside of school, Jessica teaches piano lessons, leads her church’s choir, skis with her family, and performs community service work through the S Club. Jessica’s achievements include becoming a finalist in an OHS Poetry Out Loud competition, receiving a Stanislaus County Spelling Bee Gold Medal award, winning Homecoming Queen this winter, and receiving her church's Young Women Service award. Her other interests include reading and learning, surfing/wakeboarding, hiking, and singing with her family. Supporting Jessica in all of her endeavors are her parents Nicholas and Molly Birchall and siblings Jordan, Max, Carter, and Kate.

Haven Cating

Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Haven would like to attend the University of the Pacific and study medicine or music. Haven is active in the OHS Band, Choir, and Drama Club, and is also a member of the tennis team. Her interests include reading, traveling, and music. Outside of school, Haven plays piano and volunteers at her church. Encouraging Haven in all that she does are her parents James and Bretta Cating and siblings Harrison, Hailey, and Hope.

Brooklyn Gonzalez

With an interest in the medical field, Brooklyn would like to attend San Diego State University with the career goal of becoming an anesthesiologist after graduation from Oakdale High School. Brooklyn is a member of the OHS Varsity Basketball and Swim teams. She also participates in Choir, Drama, FFA, and Leadership. Brooklyn received the Kiwanis Hope of America Award for her academic accomplishments and has also earned the Platinum Renaissance award. Her interests include the performing arts, reading, participating in her church’s youth group, skiing, water sports, and baking. Supporting Brooklyn in all of her endeavors are her parents Don and Debbra Gonzalez and siblings Avery and Dylan.

Breanna Guillermo

After graduation from Oakdale High School, Breanna plans to attend a four year university and study radiology. At OHS, Breanna is a member of the Varsity Track team and participates in the S (Service) Club, Key Club, and Pre-Med Club. Breanna is a member of the California Scholastic Federation. Breanna’s achievements include receiving a Pam Antinetti Science Fair Award. Breanna serves as a youth leader in her church. In her free time, Breanna enjoys working out, running, traveling, cooking and baking, shopping with friends, and reading poetry. Encouraging Breanna in all that she does are her mother Marissa Guillermo, stepfather Martin Quiroga, and brother Jack.

Laura Hynes

With an interest in coding and robotics, following graduation from Oakdale High School, Laura would like to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to study to become a security software engineer. At OHS, Laura is active in softball and track and also volunteers with the S (Service) Club as well as the basketball program scorekeeping and filming games. Laura was selected for the Jostens Renaissance Student of the Month award. Her S Club community service activities have included working at the Oakdale Chocolate Festival and setting up for the Church of the Nazarene’s drive-through nativity program. In her free time, Laura enjoys computer programming, robotic engineering, web development, cryptocurrency, and political events. Supporting Laura in all of her endeavors are her parents Martin and Trisha Hynes and brothers Martin, Declan, and Brendan.

Kennedy Jones

Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Kennedy would like to attend UC Davis and study medicine with the career goal of becoming an ophthalmologist or neurologist. Kennedy is a member of the OHS tennis team and has played basketball where she was awarded Best Defensive Player. She has achieved a platinum Renaissance Card since her freshman year and was selected to attend a “Doing High School Right” breakfast. Kennedy is a member of the Modesto Junior College orchestra. She also participates in the youth group and worship team at her church and has participated in several Operation Christmas Child Box packaging events, packaged care boxes for sick children through Team Telomere, and has helped with soup and pie fundraisers for her church. Kennedy enjoys hiking, music, computer programming, traveling, and reading. Encouraging Kennedy in all that she does are her parents Kristoffer and Amber Jones and sisters Madison and Rielly.

Rielly Jones

After graduation from Oakdale High School, Rielly would like to attend UC Davis and study engineering. Rielly is a member of the OHS Varsity Tennis team and also serves as a Peer Tutor. She has received numerous Student of the Month recognitions and was nominated for the “Doing High School Right” breakfast. Rielly plays violin with the Modesto Junior College orchestra. Active in her church, Rielly is a member of the youth group and worship team, and has helped with packaging care boxes for Team Telomere benefiting individuals with Telomere Biology Disorders, and Operation Christmas Child Box. She also sings and plays violin at church services. In her free time, Rielly enjoys reading, being outdoors walking and hiking, camping, playing tennis, learning violin and playing for friends and family, and finding interesting recipes and cooking meals for her family. Supporting Rielly in all of her endeavors are her parents Kristoffer and Amber Jones and sisters Madison and Kennedy.

Jessica Zepeda

Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Jessica plans to attend Modesto Junior College before transferring to a four-year university to study to become a neonatal nurse. Jessica is active in the S (Service) and Hispanic Youth Leadership clubs at OHS. Outside of school, Jessica enjoys babysitting and performing community service such as working at the Oakdale Rotary Club’s annual Father-Daughter dance, caring for dogs and cats for the ASTRO Foundation, and helping her church with their Christmas tree lot project. Jessica enjoys camping with her family and friends, riding ATVs, and hiking and exploring different areas. Encouraging Jessica in all that she does are her parents Jose and Maria Zepeda and sisters Maria, Cielo, Jasmine, and Hannah.

For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit www.oakdalesoroptimist.org and the Oakdale Soroptimist Facebook page.