PALOUSE, WA – High school Juniors Emma Orfe, Ainsley Sievers, Ella Cuellar, and Rayona Turner will participate in the Distinguished Young Women of Garfield-Palouse local program later this month. Over $7,500 is set to be awarded this year, and the event theme is “Making Waves.”
The Showcase will be hosted at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 26th in the Garfield School Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased at the door via Venmo, check, or cash. The cost to attend is $10 for ages 12 years and older; children younger than 12 are free.
Along with locally awarded scholarships, participants are eligible for a number of college-granted scholarships offered throughout the United States. The local Distinguished Young Woman will have the opportunity to advance to the state and national levels, reaching even greater financial opportunities to advance their future.
The 4 young women competing will be evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories: Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%). The participant selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Garfield-Palouse will advance to the state-level program, with a chance to become the Distinguished Woman of Washington. The Distinguished Young Woman of Washington will then join other state candidates at the 66th Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, on June 22, 23, and 24, 2023.
Emma Orfe would like to attend Washington State University after graduation and would like to become an Animal Care Taker. She will be performing “Cafe 1930,” by Astor Piazolla on her Cornet for talent. She is the daughter of John & Lisa Orfe.
Ainsley Sievers plans to study history and political science after graduation at a yet-to-be-decided school. She will play the Flute for her talent and perform a selection from Friedrich Kuhlau from his Opus 38, entitled “Three Fantasias, Fantasia 1.” Ainsley is the daughter of Tim & Tracy Lee Sievers.
Ella Cuellar hopes to attend Lewis & Clark State College to study Nursing upon graduation. She will perform the song “Careless Whisper,” by George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley on her Alto Saxophone for the talent portion, and is the daughter of Doug & Megan Cuellar.
Rayona Turner would like to study Nursing at an undecided school after High School graduation. Her talent is singing, and she will perform an a capella song, “Jar of Hearts,” by Christina Perry. She is the daughter of Talya and Forrest Turner.
If you have any questions, please contact program Co-Chairs Anneliese Zook at (208)669-3107 or Nicole Flansburg at (509)595-1197.
About Distinguished Young Women
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our 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.