BEDFORD – The application deadline for the Distinguished Young Women of Indiana is October 1.
Distinguished Young Women of Indiana is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership, and talent in young women. Earn scholarships for higher education, personally develop through the DYW Life Skills Workshops, and make new friends from around the state.
“Distinguished Young Woman’s Scholarship program is a program with an emphasis on education, but also an opportunity to empower young women by developing their interview skills and ability to articulate and communicate effectively, while also showcasing their talents and creativity,” said Judge Anah Hewetson Gouty who was a former Lawrence County Distinguished Young Woman (formerly known as Junior Miss). “DYW offers a unique opportunity to meet other young women who share similar goals and ambitions, and it is a reminder to our community of the highly intelligent, talented, young women who continue to make Lawrence County proud with their bright futures.
Judge Gouty now serves as Juvenile Referee of Lawrence Circuit Court.
Each year Distinguished Young Women gives approximately one billion dollars in scholarships to young women around the nation. The event takes place in all fifty states.
Each year’s class of state representatives travel to Mobile, Alabama the June after their high school graduation to take part in the Distinguished Young Women National Finals. They spend two weeks getting to know each other while enjoying events and volunteering in the local community, developing Life Skills for college and beyond, and performing on stage to a national audience.
The Lawrence County DYW program will be held on November 18, 2023, for young women in the 2024 graduating class.
Last year’s local winner was Bedford North Lawrence High School student Italy Lewis.
“Distinguished Young Woman was an incredible experience that really helped me to get out of my comfort zone,” said Italy Lewis. “I made incredible lifelong friends, one that I’m going to college with now, and I made unforgettable memories. It helped me become a better speaker and pushed me to ‘Be My Best Self’ as they say! I am really glad I made the decision to be a part of DYW.”
The week prior to the program, there will be 4-5 practices to prepare for the program. These usually occur on Sunday-Thursday (Nov. 12-16) of the week prior to the program and beginning around 5-5:30 p.m.
Applications can be found at distinguishedyw.org.
To apply locate Indiana, Lawrence County, and click on “Apply Today.” Please complete your
applications by October 1, 2023.
The Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories:
- Scholastics (25%)
- Interview (25%)
- Talent (20%)
- Fitness (15%)
- Self-Expression (15%)
