11 girls to participate in this year's Distinguished Young Women program

Eleven of Bonners Ferry’s most outstanding junior girls will be given an opportunity to win scholarship money and prizes in this year’s annual Bonners Ferry Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program (formerly Junior Miss). Set for April 27, at the Becker Auditorium, get ready for a rockin’ American road trip as they present “Life is a Highway.”

Started in 1966, the Bonners Ferry Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program has opened the door of opportunity for countless young women in our community. Throughout the years, Bonners Ferry has proven to be one of the best programs in the state and nation. It also has the reputation of giving one of the largest amounts of scholarship and prizes in Idaho, awarding over $15,000 last year.

The Distinguished Young Women program focuses entirely on participants’ inner beauty, strengths and accomplishments. Participants are given the opportunity to participate in the “Be Your Best Self” program.

The “Be Your Best Self” program allows Distinguished Young Women participants to reach out and encourage young people nationwide to make a commitment to being their best selves in areas such as: academics, physical fitness, morality, character, and social and civic participation. The five elements of “Be Your Best Self” are: Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Healthy, Be Responsible, and Be Ambitious. Participants take part in the “Young Miss” program by mentoring local sixth grade girls, performing community service projects, and participating in educational opportunities highlighting the elements of the program.

Each participant competes in the following categories: Scholastics, Interview, Talent, Fitness and Self Expression. An Olympic style scoring system is used in all categories of the program, and each participant receives a score of 1 to 10 in each category. Each participant is judged as an individual and not by comparison to other participants. Scholarships are awarded to the winners of each category, as well as to runners-up, and the young lady ultimately awarded the title of Bonners Ferry’s Distinguished Young Woman.

The Bonners Ferry Distinguished Young Women program receives its funds and support entirely through the donations of local community members and businesses. Without this support the program would not exist. Throughout the next several weeks, volunteers will be contacting businesses and community members for their support. Donations of any size make a significant impact and allow Bonners Ferry’s best to achieve their higher learning goals. If you would like to donate to this year’s program, please contact Andrakay Pluid at 208-946-7598.

Begun in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 765,000 young women. Our mission is to empower high school young women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing self-confidence and teaching crucial life skills needed for success in college and beyond. National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Jessica Sawyer, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Jessica@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org