A new ‘Distinguished Young Woman’ of Oakdale will be named this weekend, as this year’s program will be presented as a digital showcase on Saturday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Soroptimist International of Oakdale has sponsored the program for the past 33 years.
Oakdale’s program features 13 participants from the Class of 2022: Melissa Barajas, Victoria Blanc, Savannah Borba, Claire Cummins, Stephanie DeCavit, Madison Dessert, Sierra Hartwig, Makena McDonald, Jayden Mohr, Reagan Oliveira, Frida Record, Kierstyn Springer, and Brooklyn Tolboe. The first seven, in alphabetical order, were previewed in the April 21 issue; this week, we profile the remaining six candidates. Photos of the Distinguished Young Women candidates were provided by Antoinette Ryun, Gallery Custom Framing.
The link to watch the digital program on May 1 is: https://zoom.us/j/2098404094; Password: zoom. For more information, contact Nancy Lilly at (209) 607-7605.
Makena McDonald
With an interest in helping the hearing impaired, after graduation from Oakdale High School, Makena would like to attend San Diego State University to study to become a sign language interpreter. Makena is active in cheerleading and was a member of the 2020 Jamz National Cheer Championship team. She received the Most Improved Cheerleader 2020 award. In addition to learning sign language, Makena enjoys music and song writing, poetry, photography, podcasts, baking, riding bikes, nature walks, and playing board games with her family. Encouraging Makena in all that she does are her parents Carina and Douglas McDonald and siblings Kennedy and Kaleb.
Jayden Mohr
With a career goal of becoming an author, screenwriter, and educator, Jayden would like to attend UC Berkeley following graduation from Oakdale High School. Jayden received a Stanislaus County Farm Bureau “Imagine This” regional award, Science Olympiad First Place award, and was selected for a “Student of the Semester” award at her former high school in Modesto. Activities Jayden enjoys include dance, guitar, and yoga. Jayden’s interests are reading and writing. She is also passionate about music and enjoys learning about the music/entertainment industry. Supporting Jayden in all of her endeavors are her parents Jennifer Torres and Jose Guzman and brother Jace.
Reagan Oliveira
Reagan is a member of the Oakdale High School cheerleading teams which have won the National Junior Varsity and Varsity Show Cheer Level 2 Championship competitions. Reagan received the 2018-2019 Most Spirited Cheerleader and 2019-2020 Best All Around Cheerleader awards. Reagan also participates on the swim team and is active in the S Club. After high school, Reagan would like to attend California State University, Stanislaus to study English. Her goal is to teach English abroad. Reagan enjoys learning Spanish and Italian, songwriting, drawing, and traveling. Cheering Reagan on are her parents Heather and Christopher Oliveira and brothers Mason and Jackson.
Frida Record
Frida is a member of the Oakdale High School Academic Decathlon Team. Also at OHS, Frida volunteers her time serving as Stats Manager for the boys’ basketball team. In her free time, Frida enjoys fitness and yoga/meditation as well as reading, music, and learning. Following graduation from OHS, Frida would like to attend Chico State University and study English with a career goal of becoming an English teacher or librarian. Supporting Frida in all that she does are her parents Isa and Dion Record and siblings Ximena and Montana.
Kierstyn Springer
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Kierstyn would like to attend Ohio State University or Purdue University to study for a career in biomedical engineering. Kierstyn is active in dance, cheer, musical theater, and the marching and jazz bands at OHS. Her public service activities have included NPO-Tip Top and Essence of California events as well as Strut Gives Back events. Kierstyn enjoys singing, acting, and makeup design. Encouraging Kierstyn in all that she does are parents Chantelle and Craig Springer and siblings Christopher and Josephine.
Brooklyn Tolboe
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Brooklyn plans to attend college to study business administration and leadership. At OHS, Brooklyn is in the Leadership class and volunteers on a weekly basis. In addition, Brooklyn volunteers at Fair Oaks Elementary School. She has been invited to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Active in her church, Brooklyn serves as a youth group leader and has helped with care taking, food distributing, and event planning and set up. Brooklyn studies dance and takes ballet, jazz, and tap. She also enjoys tennis, painting, history, fashion, and design. Supporting Brooklyn in all of her endeavors are her parents Jennilyn and Christian and siblings Landon, Claire, and Adalyn.
Oakdale High School senior Jadyn Rau currently holds the title of Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman and will relinquish that title with selection of the new DYW on Saturday evening.
The 13 participants this year will compete in five categories: Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, Interview, and Self Expression for the Distinguished Young Woman of Oakdale title as well as category and other scholarship awards totaling $7,650. The candidate selected as Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman will go on to compete in the Distinguished Young Women of California program this summer.