Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy - by Katye

Saying goodbye is never easy.  Whether you are saying goodbye to your family as you head off to college—which I did last year, saying goodbye to someone you love (My Grandaddy)—which I did last month, or saying goodbye to a part of yourself—which I did last week.  The point is: Goodbyes are just a part of life.  I will be the first to tell you that I do not do well with change.  It takes me awhile to get adjusted, and I always look back on what was instead of looking forward to what will be.  As I was reminiscing on my time as Distinguished Young Woman of America, crying because I was having to leave all the wonderful people I had become so close to, a very wise and beautiful woman (who happened to be the Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio 2011) posted a bible verse that pretty much reached out, grabbed me, and screamed in my face: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”   Kinsey’s reminder of Ecclesiastes 3:11 made me realize that we have beautiful seasons in life—seasons we may not want to end; however, we have to move on from these, cherishing the memories, in order to reach the next beautiful season God has lined up for us.  I will always deeply treasure my time as a Distinguished Young Woman, but now I have realized that moving on may not be so bad after all.  It’s important to remember those things we have taken away from those beautiful periods of life, and we must be forever grateful to those who got us there and supported us along the way.  I am so thankful for everything that Distinguished Young Women has taught me, and I am equally thankful for everything it teaches to other young girls.  The world needs more distinguished young women, and I don’t mean just the title.  Girls, if you have not listened to one thing I have posted for the past year, listen to this: You are beautiful, smart, talented, and can accomplish your dreams.  Don’t give everything to one seemingly beautiful season of life when you have so many more ahead of you.

 
So, while my time is over, I know with all my heart that I am leaving you all in good hands.  Congratulations to Christina Maxwell of North Carolina!  Ladies (and gents if you’re reading, too), this is an incredible young woman.  I know she will lead you and provide much wisdom in the next year.  I had the opportunity to get to know her a little bit over the two weeks in Mobile, and I have to say, she is a genuine, talented, joyful ball of energy that is going to represent Distinguished Young Women with all of the grace, poise, and confidence that is so true to this program.  Don’t forget to keep up with the class of 2012 through the blog and Christina on twitter @bedistinguished!  For all of you that read this, if you want to keep up with all of my shenanigans, feel free to follow me on twitter @katyebrock.  It’s been a wonderful ride, folks.  Thank you for your support of me and more importantly, this program.  Believe in what this program does.  I’ve seen it firsthand, and I hope that you can all see it too.  I bid you farewell, friends! May God bless you and shine through you in the coming year.  I may have just given up my title a week ago, but I’m starting to get used to my status as a Has-Been!
 

All my love, and remember: Stay distinguished!
Katye


Katye Brock is preparing to begin her second year at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee and is majoring in International Studies. Originally from Tullahoma, Tennessee, Katye was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee for 2011 and the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2011. Learn more about Katye here!

Born This Way: My Lesson at Nationals - by Rebecca

I sat for a while trying to come up with my topic for this blog entry. I wanted to do something that could really help all the readers in their lives, but I wanted it to be unique as well. Then I began to think about where I was at this same time last year…I had just recently competed at the national level of Distinguished Young Women. To be honest and completely real with you guys, as much fun as it was, Nationals in Mobile was really a learning experience for me.

    I worked really hard in the months leading up to Nationals to make sure that I had all of my choreography, talent, and wardrobe down, and that I was in the best shape I could possibly be in. I was determined, and I thought I had it all.

    I got down to Nationals and had a great time with the girls, but the competition was always on my mind. I kept mentally comparing myself to the others, trying to figure out if I really had a shot at winning or not. I carefully watched everyone during rehearsals to see who really had potential. I found a few people who seemed to have the whole package, but I searched for areas where I might be able to beat them. In short, I let the competition get to my head. And more importantly, I let pride get to my head.

    Through the preliminary nights, I heard a lot of praise from my state chair and from some of my fellow Distinguished Young Women, so I was feeling pretty good. I thought I really had a chance at making the top ten at least, if not further. I kept telling myself I wouldn’t make it, to prepare myself if I didn’t, but unfortunately that didn’t help. 

    On the night of finals, all fifty of us girls stood on stage, awaiting the list of the top ten. I listened as each name and state was read off, and the open slots slowly disappeared, until there was only one name left. 

    “Tennessee—Katye Brock!” was the final name called. I had to stop myself from tearing up on stage. I felt like everything I had worked for through the entire year was gone in the blink of an eye. 

    What did I do wrong? What should I have done differently? What did the judges see in those girls that they didn’t see in me? 

    I began questioning everything, trying to figure out where I didn’t make the cut.

    As soon as we got back to the dressing room, I quickly excused myself to the restroom so I could let out a few tears without the other girls seeing. I finally decided that I needed to make the most of this opportunity while I still could. I went back into the dressing room and prepared for the final production number, eagerly trying to engage in the conversations and interactions I felt like I had missed out on all those past two weeks. 

    It finally hit me as we were dancing the final production number. The song was “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga. This was by far our favorite routine of the whole program. It was fun, energetic, and, most of all, it had a great message. A message that hit me like a ton of bricks that night as I sunk into our final pose on stage: This is who I am. This is what I was meant to be. I won’t get everything I want to get. In fact, I won’t get most of the stuff I want to get, but that’s okay!! We’re all made for a specific purpose; a purpose that only we can do. I began crying at the end of that number, because I finally realized just how stupid I had been. I looked around at the 39 Distinguished Young Women surrounding me, and at the top ten waiting in the wings, and realized…these are amazing young women. Words can’t even describe how fantastic they are. These 49 other girls came from all over the country with the same dream I had, and why should I be upset after making it this far?? I let the desire of being the Distinguished Young Woman of America stand in the way of fully taking in the experience of a lifetime!!

    I truly feel like I missed out at Nationals. Rather than being thankful and happy with the person I was, I focused on what I could be, and I regret that every day. I missed out on friendships that could have been built much stronger than I allowed, and as a result, I felt like I didn’t “belong” (probably the stupidest idea ever). I decided not to go back this year to be a has-been partly for that reason, and I immediately regretted it, but my family had already planned a vacation over that week, so I was unable to go. I miss those girls like crazy, and I wish I had had the mind and the humility to realize just how special they were before it was too late. 

    I can’t say in the slightest that Nationals was not an incredible experience for me. Those two weeks really were two of the best weeks of my life. But I do feel that, had I not let competition and my own desires and plans for my life stand in my way, those two weeks would have been out of this world. 

    So my message to all the readers out there: realize who you are. Know that you are one person who will change the world in your own way, and most of the time, it’s not in the way you think. Keep your mind open to every opportunity and adventure that you come across, because every single experience will mean a lifetime of lessons and memories. Think twice about someone else before you think once about yourself. Count all your blessings, and make the most of every one. Stay humble, and remember: you were born this way.

Rebecca Mitchell is a college freshman at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama majoring in Elementary Education. Originally from Ijamsville, Maryland, Rebecca was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland for 2011. Learn more about Rebecca here!

It's About More than Scholarships - by Gabrielle

            As the second week is winding down for the 50 contestants in this year’s Distinguished Young Women scholarship program, only one will be chosen on Saturday night as the Distinguished Young Woman of America. So one may ask, “What does it mean to be the Distinguished Young Woman of America?” Well...there is no right or wrong answer to that. One of the great things about Distinguished Young Women is that the winner is not chosen based off of an ideal mold of what the title winner should look like or what her abilities must be. All of the girls in the program fit the title of Distinguished Young Women and Saturday night one will be chosen who represents all of the participants the best. What is great is that for two weeks one girl from each state brings the country together in celebration of not only who we individually are, but who we are as a country. A bystander inquiring about the program may ask the question, “What is the prize?” and one might answer, “Well, scholarship money of course.” But that is NOT the true answer. The real prize at the end of this is not given to one person, but rather shared by everyone who participated. Unlike money that can be spent within minutes, all of the girls walk away with memories. It is memories that were made with their compassionate host families, dedicated volunteers, patient police escorts, generous sponsors, driven committee members, amazingly talented choreographers, supportive Has-beens, and inspired girl scouts and fans. These relationships are ones that last forever, and after being in this program myself, I speak from experience. In two short weeks, so much happens in the structured schedule for these girls and all of it provides memories to last a lifetime. 

            Robert Gosnell, one of the choreographers from last year along with Casey Noblett and Gia Mongell, sent the girls and I an email letting us know he is thinking of us and remembering what a great time he had last year and that he left inspired by all of us. I remember how much fun I had dancing to our group number “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga. All of the participants got to dance on stage and be their own self, their BEST FIERCE self! The freestyle moments in between the steps represented each girl the best. It was our choreopgrahers that helped us look good and gave us bits of eight counts to be ourselves in front of thousands of family members, friends, and supporters throughout the country and in the host city, Mobile. I remember in one of the rehearsals the power had gone out, but we did not stop rehearsing, although we were all exhausted. Instead, we walked outside, and practiced in the parking lot. That is just one of the thousands of memories I walked away with.

            I came across a quote from one of my good friends and it reads, “We lose ourselves in the things we love, and often find ourselves there too.” It is with the help of everyone in the program that we find who we are and where we fit in, because everyone has their own piece to the puzzle. Without everyone’s passion for Distinguished Young Women, the program would not be what it is today.

Every single one of the 2012 participants is a piece to the puzzle. The participants are seen here making the US map, each representing their own state!!

            Talent is only half of the equation; the other half is using our surroundings to nurture our gifts. And guess what? All of the 50 participants are doing just that and helping others find their own paths too. I’m not psychic or anything, but I already know what will happen on Saturday. Another deserving young woman will be named the Distinguished Young Woman of America and follow right behind previous winners and the wonderful Katy Brock’s footsteps. She will represent her state, country, and most importantly the other girls with pride and empowerment. This is another marvelous memory that will be strung with the other ones and will surely last longer than any scholarship.

Stay Distinguished,

Gabrielle xoxo

Gabrielle Walter is a college freshman at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York majoring in Biology/Pre-medicine. Originally from East Amherst, New York, Gabrielle was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New York for 2011. Learn more about Gabrielle here!

Back in Sweet Home Alabama - by Rachel

It feels so good being back in Sweet Home Alabama—where the tea is sweet and the accents are sweeter! It hardly feels like it’s been a whole year since it was the class of 2011 on the Civic Center’s stage. Just today, when I was watching the current Distinguished Young Women representatives rehearse on the stage, I thought I recognized some of my 2011 girls working on their kicks and practicing their sways for a few fleeting seconds. It has been a bittersweet experience to only have fifteen, including Katye Brock (Distinguished Young Woman of America 2011) of the original fifty girls back, but I wouldn’t trade it for all the Dew Drop hotdogs in the world. Being a Has Been and being presented with the opportunity to meet and encourage 3 or 4 girls is such a blessing. 

Left to right: Paige (Kentucky), Sierra (New Mexico), Me, Boni (Oregon)

The purpose of a Has Been is to be an ambassador of the Distinguished Young Women organization and make appearances that the current class can’t make. Also, part of the job of a Has Been is to act as a “big sister,” or a mentor, to not only the representative from our own state, but two other girls from states whose 2011 Distinguished Young Woman couldn’t be here, as well. Of course, I have Sierra Harland from New Mexico, and the two ladies that I have adopted for the week are Boni Yraguen from Oregon and Paige Wilson from Kentucky. I knew I would enjoy being a big to these amazing girls, but I had no idea the overwhelming emotions I would feel.  The first time I saw each of them under the spotlight, a lump the size of the state of Alabama crept into my throat. I was actually so emotional about seeing my girls on the stage simply running through their fitness routines that I started to tear up! Unless you have actually participated in one of these programs it is hard to understand the level of difficulty it takes to be in this program. It may seem pretty cookey, but just seeing their intensity and determination just floored me. Nothing could have made me more proud today.  I look so forward to seeing more about my passionate Sierra, talking more with spunky Boni, and getting to know sweet Paige more!

Rachel Williams is a college freshman at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico majoring in International Studies. Originally from Kirtland, New Mexico, Rachel was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico for 2011. Learn more about Rachel here!

           

It's All About the Journey - by Gabrielle

As the school year comes to an end for our graduating seniors, so too does the journey for this year’s class of Distinguished Young Women. We work throughout high school to walk across that stage with the hope that we gained the proper resources to help us succeed in our career paths. One of the biggest preparations after the representatives win their state is for Nationals. Both of these work towards a common goal, but is the reward the action of walking across the stage or going to nationals? No..It is the journey. It is what both those two actions represent.

Arrival Ceremony at Mobile Regional Airport

These 50 young women in Mobile had the qualities of Distinguished Young Women before they received the title. It is the program they are a part of that is the medium for them to be recognized and do great work in the community. The program Distinguished Young Women celebrates these girls, who they are, and where they are going in life. Being on that stage among thousands of people is a collaboration of all the girls talents being shown to families, friends, and the community. All of these girls work so hard for others that this time is to celebrate them and all their accomplishments. After Distinguished Young Women, they will still be the girls they always were--hard working, strong headed, distinguished, divas!! Now they know they have a whole family of support for their continued goals and actions they want to conquer in life.

Love the Azalea Trial Maids with the big dresses-- after trying one on and knowing how heavy they are, I have so much more respect for these ladies.

My Mobile experience is one I will never forget! I have never been down south, so I can say that there is such thing as southern hospitality. From the lovely host families, mine being the McKinney’s, to the the volunteers and wonderful committee members. It is fact that sweet tea makes most anything better! Distinguished Young Women gave me the confidence I needed in knowing that people are always there to support you. Distinguished Young Women is a family that is strong in it’s core. We hold true to the test that we can be far away from each other and still be by each other’s side in spirit. So remember that you always can find the qualities of Distinguished Young Women inside of your hard work. Participate in this program and work to celebrate who you are while inspiring other young women that they have something special about themselves too.

The Red Group being silly--Love these girls!

Much Love ~ Gabrielle

Gabrielle Walter is a college freshman at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York majoring in Biology/Pre-medicine. Originally from East Amherst, New York, Gabrielle was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of New York for 2011. Learn more about Gabrielle here!

BFFs - by Alessa

Last summer I remember the only thing on my mind whenever I thought of college was: how am I going to make friends.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have had the same four best friends since I was in the 4^th grade. Growing up we were inseparable, so the thought that we were all headed to different colleges worried me. At this point, we had all been friends for eight years and I was convinced I had no idea how to make new friends. 

To my surprise, forming new friendships was much easier than I could have ever imagined. I was blessed to instantly hit it off with my roommate, Becca. We had so much in common. Most importantly, we were both afraid that we were not going to make any new friends. So we stuck together and made a point to say hi to every person we saw while walking around campus. 

Before I knew it, I found myself surrounded by people that I consider my best friends. Coming from the girl who was convinced she was going to spend the next four years stuck in her dorm room friend-less, this was something I never expected.

After over analyzing for months and months, I learned that the easiest way to make new friends is to be you. 

Alessa Strelecki is a college freshman at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa majoring in Secondary Education and Mathematics. Originally from West Des Moines, Iowa, Alessa was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa for 2011. Learn more about Alessa here!

Reminiscing and Looking Forward - by Hannah

It’s time for National Finals!! I cannot believe it has been an entire year since I represented Mississippi at the Distinguished Young Women program.  A lot has certainly happened during this year, and I am so excited to be able to go back and see Mallory Pitts, the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi, as she performs at the Mobile Civic Center.  The Distinguished Young Women program is very popular in my state, and our state program is always a grand event; however, there is nothing like being able to participate and attend National Finals in Mobile, Alabama.  The entire city comes together to put on the program and entertain the participants for two weeks.  When I first got to Mobile, I was very nervous about meeting and getting along with the other girls, not to mention the fact that I was going to be away from home for two weeks!  My nerves quickly settled as I made new friends and memories with the 49 other participants.  One of my most favorite outings at National Finals was going to Wintzell’s Oyster House for the oyster eating competition and then going to the beach.  Being from Southern Mississippi, I go to the beach several times a year, but some girls from more northern states had never seen a beach!!  The day we had at the beach was a relaxing time and gave all the girls an opportunity to unwind and just get to know more about each other as well as their host families.

All 50 of us on stage following the opening number.

The class of 2012 might be nervous as they get to know one another in Mobile, and will certainly be nervous as they walk onto the Civic Center stage for the first time, but the memories they create will last a lifetime.  The night before my family drove me to Mobile, I became very nervous and really just wanted to stay at home, and I remember my father telling me that participating in National Finals is a privilege that only 50 girls get each year; simply attending the finals is an honor.  The national participants have received a wonderful gift in being able to compete nationally and meet a new friend from every state in America.

The top 10 finalists - I am in the blue dress, 5th from the right.

This all sounds pretty fun, doesn’t it??  Over 700,000 girls (and counting) have participated in this program, and you should be one of them!  Not everyone will get to go to the National Finals, but this should be each girl’s goal.  After all, even if you shoot for the moon and miss, you will still land among the stars.  Good luck to all the participants in this year’s National Finals, make the most of every minute!

Hannah Roberts

Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2011

Hannah Roberts is a college freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi majoring in Biochemistry with a Pre-medical emphasis. Originally from Mount Olive, Mississippi, Hannah was a participant in the Distinguished Young Women program and was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Mississippi for 2011. Learn more about Hannah here!