Allen County-Scottsville senior Kaleigh Beth
Shaw will be in Lexington next week representing Allen County at the 2018
Kentucky Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) Scholarship Program.
Shaw was selected as Allen
County’s Distinguished Young Women at the local program last August. Since that
time, Shaw has spent time preparing for the week-long state program. Her preparations
have included time at the CORE learning routines, practicing for the talent
portion of the program, toning interview skills, keeping up with current
events, and fulfilling obligations as part of the state DYW program.
“Ernie Stafford at the CORE is
a sponsor and has allowed me to use their aerobic room to work on the
routines,” Shaw explained. “I have been working out for fitness and practicing
Vienna, the song I’m using for talent.”
Shaw will travel to Lexington
on Sunday to spend the week alongside county DYW winners from across the
Commonwealth. The week will include special appearances and functions as well
as hours of group practice to prepare for the two-day program.
“Friday (January 12) will be
the first on-stage preliminary for me, the talent competition,” Shaw noted. “I
will have self-expression and fitness in the second preliminary Saturday
morning,”
Prior to the on-stage
activities, Shaw will also meet with the program’s judges in the Interview
phase of the program. All winners will be announced at the finals on Saturday
evening.
Shaw will not be the only
Allen County School District student at the state DYW program. A special
feature of the scholarship program allows each county DYW winner to select a
“little sister.” Shaw chose 11-year old Kaitlyn Rather, a sixth grader at Allen
County Intermediate Center.
“Kaitlyn will be in Lexington
for a luncheon with us and also on-stage as part of one of our routines,” Shaw
explained.
Family and friends of Shaw are
encouraged to send her cards of encouragement and well-wishes. While in
Lexington, Shaw will stay with the host family of Diane and Mike Wheatley.
Cards can be sent to the Wheatley’s, 3873 Ormesby Place, Lexington (KY), 40515.
The Kentucky DYW program will be held at the Singletary Center for the
Arts on the campus of the University of Kentucky on January 12 and 13. The
first preliminary program is Friday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. (EST) with the
second preliminary program slated for 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 13. The
finals will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 13.
According
to the state DYW website, Distinguished
Young Women of Kentucky is part of a national scholarship
program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young
women. College scholarships are awarded at the state level ($27,250 last year)
and millions in college-granted scholarships are available ($1.5 billion
nationally). The local program---under the direction of the Allen County Junior
Miss Board—also offers scholarship opportunities.