The Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale Class of 2022 digital showcase, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Oakdale, was held on Saturday, May 1. Family, friends, and community members watched the showcase on Zoom that featured 13 junior class participants from Oakdale High School.
Oakdale High senior and reigning Distinguished Young Woman Jadyn Rau passed her title to Reagan Oliveira. In addition to the $2,500 scholarship for the title award, Reagan received the $200 Interview and the $200 Self Expression category awards. Scholarship awards were also presented to Claire Cummins, Second Place ($1,500) and Talent ($200); Madison Blanc, Third Place ($1,000), Community Service ($250), and Scholastics ($200); Kierstyn Springer, Fourth Place ($800); and Brooklyn Tolboe, Fifth Place ($600). Sierra Hartwig received the $200 Fitness category award scholarship. Also participating in the program were Melissa Barajas, Savannah Borba, Stephanie DeCavit, Madison Dessert, Makena McDonald, Jayden Mohr, and Frida Record.
A total of $7,650 in scholarships were awarded from donations received from the Oakdale Lions Club, Oakdale Rotary Club, Oak Valley Community Bank, Dr. Chet and Mrs. Purnima Mahida, Dr. A. Lee Scaief/Oak Valley Optometric, Drs. Jeff and Jodi Sceville, Bordona’s Furniture and Appliance, Haidlen Ford/Steves Chevrolet-Buick Oakdale New Car Dealers, Tri Counties Bank, and Scenic Oaks Funding – Orval Neal. Soroptimist International of Oakdale provided the title award.
Reagan will represent Oakdale at the California Distinguished Young Women program in August for an opportunity to earn additional scholarship awards. The program will be presented as a digital showcase over three nights on Aug. 26, 27 and 28.
This year marks the 34th year the Oakdale Soroptimist Club has sponsored the scholarship program. President Charlotte Metcalfe and club members were pleased to provide a virtual program during the pandemic for the Class of 2022 participants to offer opportunities for college scholarships and showcase their fitness, talent, and public speaking abilities. They offered thanks to Oakdale High School educator Pete Simoncini for hosting the digital showcase, Oakdale’s Class of 2021 Distinguished Young Woman Jadyn Rau for co-hosting, and Oakdale’s Class of 2016 Distinguished Young Woman Amy Craig for designing the showcase.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Their mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, developing their self-confidence and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Encore Rehabilitation, Shoe Station, Gant Travel Management, Wellington and Bonnie Coffeen, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Tara Principe, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Tara@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.
For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit www.oakdalesoroptimist.org and the Oakdale Soroptimist Facebook page.
