MOBILE, Alabama — Fifty young women representing states across the country took the stage at the Mobile Civic Center Theater on a Friday night, competing in talent, fitness and self-expression as part of the preliminary round of the national Distinguished Young Women program. Ten finalists were set to be announced the following evening, with $155,000 in scholarships on the line.
A rotating format keeps things fresh
Half of the fifty competitors performed talent routines on the first preliminary night, while the other half competed in fitness and self-expression; the groups then swapped for the second night. Natalie Lawson, representing Florida, played steel drums for her talent performance and said she hoped the audience danced along as much as she did on stage. Miiko Toussaint of Idaho, who competed in fitness and self-expression, described the emotional swing between the high-energy fitness routine and the more composed, poised feel of self-expression as a roller coaster.
Category scholarships handed out
Before the finalists were named, the program awarded $1,000 category scholarships across several disciplines. Fitness scholarships went to representatives from Idaho, Florida, Rhode Island and Utah. Self-expression honors went to competitors from Georgia, Florida, Arizona and Alabama’s own contestant, Madeline Powell. Scholastic scholarships were awarded to young women from Alaska, New Jersey, Arizona and again Alabama’s Powell, while the interview category recognized finalists from South Carolina, Mississippi, Oregon and Alabama.
A local host with a growing bond
Closing out the evening, 2013’s national Distinguished Young Woman, Nicole Renard, performed a tap routine and spoke about balancing her freshman year of college with her responsibilities representing the program nationally. Jennifer Tolbert, the program’s national field director, said all fifty competitors — not just the ten finalists — would appear on stage for the final round, adding that the young women had formed close friendships throughout the week that would be visible in their closing group number.
Finals set for Saturday
The 2014 Distinguished Young Women National Finals were scheduled to conclude the following Saturday evening at 7 p.m., once again at the Mobile Civic Center Theater, capping off a week of competition, community events and scholarship presentations hosted in downtown Mobile.