Meet three Distinguished Young Women
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April 1, 2014 |
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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. |
This year, 10 very dedicated and talented young ladies are
undergoing the rigors, and joys, of
participating in the Bonners Ferry Distinguished
Young Women Scholarship Competition, and we'll
be introducing each of them, as well as sharing
more information on this year's program.
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 #1
Natalie 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 #2
The 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 #3
Boundary 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.” |
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