Five Allen County-Scottsville High School seniors will participate in the prestigious Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) Scholarship Program on Saturday, August 30. Seniors Katelyn Ausbrooks, Claire Clay, Raelynn Donovan, Addison Law, and JoyDale Williams take the stage at the high school auditorium seeking college and cash scholarships and the title of Allen County’s 2026 Distinguished Young Woman. .
The DYW program in Allen County dates back to 1970 when Pam Clinard McAfee.was selected as the first Junior Miss---the name for the program until national organizers changed the program to Distinguished Young Woman about 15 years ago. The local program has been held every year except for 1975, 1983, and 2010. In 2020, the program was held virtually despite the ongoing pandemic.
“This is the 55th anniversary of the program's influence in this community,” explained Allen County Distinguished Young Woman Program Board chair Carole Chaney. “We are fortunate to have wonderful community support for this scholarship program benefiting the young women of Allen County.”
The DYW program selects a county winner based on a combined score after judges evaluate each participant in five categories.
The scholastic category winner is based on a participant’s academic achievements with their score accounting for 25 percent of the overall score. The interview category also counts 25 percent of the total score. Each candidate will meet with the judging panel for a face-to-face interview prior to the program. Thus by the time the curtain opens at 5 p.m. on August 30, half of the judging will have been completed. However, much remains in the five-layered evaluation.
On stage, each participant gives a 90-second talent presentation. This evaluation brings’ a glimpse of each participant’s unique talent with their score counting 20 percent. A challenging Fitness routine gives judges a look at the participant’s athleticism and a Self-Expression phase displays the participant’s poise and composure. Each of these areas represent 15 percent of the overall total score.
While the evaluation of participants in the five areas have remained much the same for five decades, changes have come with regard to the awards presented.
“The judging criteria has not changed: scholastic 25%, interview 25%, talent 20%, fitness 20% and self-expression 20%,” Chaney noted. “However, the program’s benefits have changed and gotten stronger since its beginning. In the early 1970s, participants received trophies and flowers. Today participants receive award certificates and valuable college scholarship money, as well as the opportunity to attend different universities to pursue numerous degree programs from the benefit of being a distinguished young woman of Allen County.”
The overall winner as well as preliminary winners and runner-ups in the categories of interview,scholastics, talent, fitness, and self-expression earn cash or college scholarships. The scholarship opportunities are made possible through donations from local businesses and individuals along with colleges and universities.
The program caps months of hard work and preparation.
“The girls have been very busy learning the fitness routine, deciding on specifics for their talent competition, practicing their poise and interview skills, as well as taking part in a traditional enrichment event of our etiquette tea,” Chaney explained. “The board members are very proud of these girls and their commitment to hard work and dedication.”
Chaney encourages the community to come out and support the program. A special invitation is extended to AC-SH junior young women and parents who might be interested in participation in the program a year from now. Former DYW and Junior Miss winners and participants are also cordially invited.
“This is a rare traditional scholarship program working to improve the lives of the girls graduating from Allen County-Scottsville High School,” Chaney stressed. “These five girls are talented, have a great work ethic, have become a cohesive unit through this program and they need everyone's support the night of the program. Come out and cheer for them all. Their talent selections will be a highlight of the evening.”
The DYW Program would not be possible without the hard work of the supervision Board. In addition to Chaney, the local board includes Candy Fitzpatrick (program emcee), Anne Vinson (judge’s chair), John Hall (enrichment & decorating), Debbie Gillenwater (treasurer), Jenny Fitzpatrick Sarah Beth Meador and Katrina Humphrey, board members. Assisting also are Julie Hartman (scholastic judges), Ken Vinson (tabulator judge), and Layne Hopper (sound technician). Jenny Fitzpatrick also taught the young women the fitness and the opening number routines.
“The ACDYW board is strictly volunteer-based,” Chaney said. “All board members work to help these girls achieve all their personal goals while guiding them through the program. It is an honor and privilege to work with these wonderful young women and watch them flourish from this valuable program's involvement.”
Allen County’s 2026 Distinguished Young Woman will advance to the Kentucky DYW program in January of 2026 in Lexington. She will spend a week with a host family while practicing and preparing for the state program.