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Rau Claims Fitness Award At State DYW
DYW pix
Oakdale teen Jadyn Rau, center, captured one of the three Fitness Category awards at the statewide competition in the Soroptimist International’s Distinguished Young Women event. This year’s state competition was featured in an online platform. Photo Courtesy Of Distinguished Young Women Of California

Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Jadyn Rau competed in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2021 state finals along with 26 high school seniors who were featured in a digital showcase held over three nights from January 28 through 30 in which the public was invited to watch.

The competition consisted of five categories: Scholastics, Interview, Fitness, Talent, and Self Expression. For the Scholastics category, Rau’s academic record was evaluated by a qualified educator. She received a 10 minute personal interview with the program’s judges for the Interview category. For the Fitness category, she skillfully executed an aerobic fitness routine. For the Talent category, Rau performed a tap dance to a mix of popular Michael Jackson songs. Finally, she displayed her public speaking ability, confidence, and poise for the Self Expression category.

Originally scheduled for July, 2020 but postponed to January 2021 due to the pandemic, Rau and the other participants spent several months preparing for the competition participating in online fitness practices and Be Your Best Self life skills workshops. Once it was determined the showcase would be digital versus live, all the participants filmed and submitted their talent and fitness routines ahead of the showcase and their interviews and Self Expression speeches were provided live online with the judges.

Viewers watched the participants perform their talent, fitness, and Self Expression speeches during the first two showcases and the final showcase featured the scholarship award presentations where Rau received one of the three Fitness Category awards and a $400 college scholarship.

Skyla Nelson of Carlsbad was selected California’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2021 and will advance to the national program in June.

Following the program, Rau said, “While this year’s competition was changed to an online platform, the state program was still an amazing experience that allowed me to learn about how to Be My Best Self and compete against a wonderful group of girls. Using this knowledge, I can’t wait to mentor this year’s Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale.”

Oakdale’s program is sponsored by Soroptimst International of Oakdale. The next local program for the Class of 2022 will be held April 17, 2021 and is open to junior class girls who reside in the 95361 zip code or attend Oakdale High School. For more information, contact Nancy Lilly at 209-607-7605.

For more information about the DYW scholarship program, visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, visit www.oakdalesoroptimist.org or on Facebook at Oakdale Soroptimist.