Eight Distinguished Young Women and rising high school seniors took to the stage of Jefferson Davis Community College’s Woodfin Patterson Auditorium Saturday vying for the title of the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman (formerly Junior Miss).
W.S. Neal’s Jordyn Madden, daughter of Mark and Julie Madden, came away with the title for 2012 and swept five of the seven other awards given out Saturday. Madden also won best interview, talent (baton twirling/dance to “All that Jazz” from Chicago), fitness, self-expression, and the spirit of DYW.
First alternate went to Katherine Baggett, of T.R. Miller, and second alternate to Ashley Daugherty also of T.R. Miller.
Baggett also took the scholastic award while Gianna Bailey, of T.R. Miller, took the Be Your Best Self essay award.
“I feel absolutely wonderful, this is the greatest feeling,” Madden said moments after winning. “All the girls were wonderful and I am just very, very happy.”
Madden said when her name was called as the 2012 winner she was surprised.
“Wow, I can’t believe I actually did it,” Madden said of her reaction. “I think I am going to have to do a lot (to represent Escambia County). I am going to have to be a very good person and live up to my title. I love Junior Miss and Distinguished Young Women. It is a great program.”
As winner of the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Escambia County, Madden won an official medallion, a $2,000 cash tuition scholarship, and tuition for four semesters to Jefferson Davis Community College.
Contestants in the 2012 program were: Jade Marysa Danley, from W.S. Neal High School, the daughter of Hubert and Patrea Danley. Ashley Stacey Daugherty, from T.R. Miller High School, the daughter of James and Stacey Daugherty. Gianna Ariel Bailey, from T.R. Miller High School, the daughter of Jim Beers and Altha Bailey. Jordyn Hailey Madden, from W.S. Neal High School, the daughter of Mark and Julie Madden. Katherine Jessica Baggett, from T.R. Miller High School, the daughter of Gregory Baggett and Connie Baggett. Breanna Chantel Mellinger, from Flomaton High School, daughter of Timothy and Christi Lee. Abigail Victoria Carlson, from T.R. Miller High School, daughter of Jeffery and Sandi Carlson, and Raley Lanell Boggs, from W.S. Neal High School, who is the daughter of Timothy and Dana Boggs.
Of the 42 overall winners of the program (1964-1966 and 1974-2012), Madden is the fourth W.S. Neal student to win the program. Other W.S. Neal winners were Meghan Hultz (2003), Felicia Rider (1992) and Teresa Graves Gleaton in 1981.
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 percent of overall score), Interview (25 percent of overall score), Talent (25 percent of overall score), Fitness (15 percent of overall score), and Self-Expression (15 percent 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 after they graduate from high school. In addition to college scholarships, a Distinguished Young Woman receives a medallion to symbolize her achievements in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. There are no fees to enter the program.
Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. It has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women across the country and more than $93 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national level. In addition to cash scholarships, Distinguished Young Women participants are eligible for college-granted scholarships from almost 200 colleges and universities. More than $50 million in college scholarship opportunities were provided last year, some of which included full tuition, room, and board to first-class institutions. Many participants leave the program with scholarships to help them with their college educations, but all of them walk away from the experience with life skills to help them interview effectively, pursue higher education, develop healthy relationships, and have increased confidence. Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.