Meet three Distinguished Young Women
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| Bonners Ferry's 2013 Distinguished Young Woman Anika Blackmore will pass her title on to one of ten young women competing in this year's event. |
Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.
The program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 730,000 young women and more than $100 million in cash scholarships has been awarded at the local, state and national levels combined.
Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.
Distinguished Young Women has a presence in all 50 states with more than 400 local programs in towns and cities across the country.
The competition for scholarships begins at the local level during the junior or senior year for high school girls. Each Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics (20% of overall score), Interview (25% of overall score), Talent (25% of overall score), Fitness (15% of overall score), and Self-Expression (15% of overall score).
Once a participant receives the overall award at her local program, she advances to the state program. All state winners participate in the National Finals competition in Mobile, Alabama, in June. In addition to college scholarships, a Distinguished Young Woman receives a medallion to symbolize her achievements in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.
You can learn more about the Distinguished Young Women program by visiting their website, www.ajm.org.
Here are the first three Bonners Ferry women who will be giving their all in this year's competition:
Natalie
Lyn Shelton – Contestant #1Natalie Lyn Shelton is sponsored by the Moyie Shrine Club. Natalie is the daughter of Paul and Leslie Shelton. She has two sisters, Samantha and Zoe, and one brother, Charlie.
After graduation, Natalie would like to attend Lewis-Clark State College, become a Registered Nurse, and specialize in pediatrics.
Extracurricular activities she enjoys include National Honor Society, Foreign Language Society, Dance Team, playing the piano, arts and crafts, and working with children.
Modern personalities that interest Natalie are Ellen DeGeneres and Michael Phelps, while historical figures that interest her are Betty Freidan and Abraham Lincoln.
Her favorite play is The Sound of Music, so it only makes sense that Natalie will entertain us with her vocal rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from the movie Grease.
When asked what makes Natalie most proud of her generation, she states, “Our ability to adapt to change. We are able to learn so quickly and efficiently, making transitions so much easier than they have been in the past.”
Mariah
Noelle Rae – Contestant #2The Bonners Ferry Rotary Club is proud to sponsor Mariah Noelle Rae. Mariah is the daughter of Victor and Tess Rae, and keeps busy with her two younger brothers, Ryne and Cameron.
Mariah aspires to attend North Idaho College, and then later Lewis-Clark State College, where she will study nursing, with an emphasis on pediatrics.
With her goal of becoming a nurse, it is no surprise that one of the historical figures that most interests Mariah is Florence Nightingale. She is also intrigued by modern personalities Dr. Forrest Byrd and Kylie Bisutti.
A few of the extracurricular endeavors that keep Mariah active include soccer, dance team, softball, golf, and working as a kindergarten reading mentor.
For her talent, Mariah will perform a self-choreographed contemporary hula-hoop dance set to the music of “Light ‘Em Up” by Fallout Boys.
When asked what makes Mariah least proud of her generation, she states, “We tend to be more self-centered and often take for granted the freedoms we are so blessed to have been given."
Samantha
LeAnne Barradale – Contestant #3Boundary County Community Theater is happy to sponsor Samantha LeAnne Barradale, as she shares that group’s passion for the performing arts.
Samantha is the daughter of Trygve and Janet Aos. She has two sisters, Amber and Bella, and one brother, Erik.
Samantha plans to attend the American Musical Dramatic Academy, where she will pursue a Masters Degree in Performing Arts.
She participates in the Bonners Ferry Summer Youth Theater, Honor Choir, Jazz Choir, and her church’s youth group.
Because Samantha enjoys acting, singing and playing the guitar, it is obvious why Sandra Bullock and Taylor Swift are two modern personalities that interest her. Sacagawea and Abraham Lincoln are two historical figures that fascinate her.
For her talent, Samantha will be singing “The Greatest Love of All."
When asked what makes her most proud of her generation, she states, “I am most proud of my generation because of our willingness to help raise money for charity.”