DYW Iacolucci to help select this year's DYW

Cali Iacolucci, the 2021-2022 Distinguished Young Woman of Bonners Ferry, will take the stage at the Becker Auditorium on April 30 at the DYW scholarship program to help select the new DYW from the 11 juniors participating in the program.

The past year has kept Iacolucci busy with many opportunities to represent Bonners Ferry and the Distinguished Young Women program. She attended numerous parades in the Pacific Northwest, gave a speech honoring the service of veterans at the annual Memorial Day event, and handed out awards at the Rod Benders car show.

Last October, Iacolucci and 35 other representatives from around the state traveled to Idaho Falls where they spent one week learning routines in preparation for the state competition. This resulted in many new friendships, great memories and character building.

As part of the DYW program statewide, Iacolucci participated in the Be Your Best Self Project, “Days for Girls.” She was able to offer her support in hand-making reusable and sustainable menstrual health solutions for girls who would otherwise miss school during their monthly periods. Iacolucci also held a local shoe drive for the non-profit organization “Soles4Souls,” that distributes gently used shoes to survivors of natural disasters and in countries around the world.

She thanked the people of the communities of Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, and Coeur d’Alene for donating shoes and supporting her project, helping her raise nearly 300 pairs of shoes in four weeks.

“This year has been a blast,” Iacolucci said. “I have learned to be proud of my accomplishments and to always strive to be my best self, especially when no one is watching. To me, this program means embracing who we are, learning to speak our minds, advocate for our passions and know that our voices can be heard.”

Iacolucci said her hope is that every participant becomes more confident in themselves and realizes they can all achieve greatness. Everyone can change the world if they work hard and are determined, she said.

Iacolucci thanked the committee for all the time and effort they generously give to this program.

“I would also like to thank my community and my fellow Forget-Me-Nots, who I have loved spending time with this last year,” she said. “A special thank you goes to my family for all their unconditional love, support and help given to me this past year. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to represent our beautiful community.”

Cali Lynn Iacolucci is the daughter of Chad and Missy Iacolucci. She has a younger brother, Wyatt. After graduation, Iacolucci plans to continue training for her instrument flight rating, finish her Associates degree at North Idaho College, and begin schooling for her Airframe and Powerplant license.

This year’s program is scheduled for Saturday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Becker Auditorium in Bonners Ferry. Tickets are $12 each, and are currently on sale at Mountain Mike’s Health Food Store.