photo. Image courtesy of Lewiston
DYW Facebook. Left to right: Bree
Hendren, Ava Manyon, Talina
Grainger, Elizabeth Swallow, Ryann
Schraufnagel, Sophia Carr, Gracie
Clemenhagen, Dayvee Maurer, Ella
Clark, Kaylee Stachofsky, Katelyn
Rosenbaum, Samantha Gregory, Ivy
Robinson and Jorja Jelinek.
Jorja Jelinek won this year’s Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) competition, which took place on March 14 at Lewiston High School.
DYW is a program in which a group of junior girls
compete in categories such as interview, talent, and
fitness. This year’s first alternate was Bree Hendren,
and the second alternate was Kaylee Stachofsky.
“I had a really great time,” Jelinek said. “It helps you a
lot in the future with public speaking and interviews,
and also, things like performing on stage.”
Along with the overall DYW title, Jellinek won awards
for self-expression, fitness, and talent. Another contestant, Dayvee Maurer, received the
Spirit Award and the Interview Award.
“It was great. I loved seeing everybody,” Maurer said.
“I think the best part was watching everybody else
succeed in all the things they’ve worked really hard on.”
Scholarship money is fundraised by the participants
and split between the winners, so the amounts vary
from year to year. Jellinek received a scholarship of $2,500 for securing the title of DYW. She received numerous smaller scholarships in other categories, such as $300 for fitness, self-expression, and talent.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Woman
(DYW), formally known as Junior Miss, has been an ongoing traditional program in Lewiston. Overall, it is an unforgettable experience that offers opportunities for young women to achieve educational and professional success.
