Field receives scholarship for scholastic and self-expression categories

By Charlotte Baker

PULLMAN–Pomeroy’s Distinguished Young Women (DYW) scholarship program representative Isabella Field participated in the YDW of Washington contest on August 3. She secured a $600 scholarship during the week-long event.

Field, the daughter of Jayci and Chris Field of Pomeroy, competed with seven other area high school seniors for a chance to represent Washington State in Mobile, Ala. During the “Barbie” themed event, she played a piano piece, “Linus and Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi for her talent, participated in several interviews of which she was awarded $600 for the scholastic and self-expression categories, and met many new outstanding young women.

“Starting the Wednesday before the program, she stayed with a host family in Pullman,” said DYW co-director Tai Bye said. “She participated in long and difficult practices and made new friends from throughout the state. Isabella was absolutely stunning on the stage and impressed her large fan base in the audience.”

The theme of the program this year was “Barbie” and the strength of women. Isabella participated in an opening number where she dressed up as “Basketball Barbie.” She shone in every category: fitness, talent, and self-expression, Bye said.

She also participated in an interview with the judges the afternoon before the program. Isabella was awarded $600 for winning two categories: scholastic and self-expression. With these scholarships, Isabella’s scholarship total between the local and state program is $2,550, said Bye.

DYW evolved from the America’s Junior Miss program, a beauty pageant-style event, awarded young women for their accomplishments. America’s Junior Miss was founded in 1958 for high school senior girls seeking higher education. Originally, the Jaycees organization provided an annual event, Azalearama, as an Azalea festival in Mobile; Alabama where selected contestants would receive scholarships. However, America’s Junior Miss seemed to not fit the changing times as a beauty pageant, but there was still a need for educational scholarships for women. Thus, the Distinguished Young Women emerged as a scholastically and wholistic achievement-based program, and eventually evolved into the national scholarship program for high school of today.

The goal for each participant is to gain confidence and assuredness in oneself. This is achieved through continued education, opportunities to inspire others, focus on academic excellence, physical fitness, public development of performance skills, and the ability to convey thought in a public forum.

“The DYW of Pomeroy program is incredibly proud of Isabella and how well she has represented the Pomeroy program,” said Bye. “She lit up the stage with her smile, confidence, and energy. We look forward to Isabella being a strong role model for our upcoming participants this year.”

The other contestants were, Hayley Barnea, Clarkston; Hailey Bechner, Palouse, Holly Heitstuman, Uniontown, Karly Wigen, Colfax, and Allison Wood, Pullman

Jessica Ellithrope of Ellensburg, Wash. will go on to represent Wahington State in Mobile, Ala.