Distinguished Young Women OF Alabama


is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership and talent in young women. Earn scholarships for higher education, personally develop through the DYW Life Skills Workshops, and make new friends from around the state.


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Photo of Carrington Hodge
Carrington Hodge
Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama for 2023
State Program Information

Class of 2024 Program

Date: January 19-20, 2024

Where:
Location
Frazer Church, Wesley Hall
6000 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, Alabama

Tickets:
Friday Preliminary – 7:30 PM
Saturday Preliminary – 1:00 PM
Saturday Finals – 7:00 PM

Email: ALTickets@distinguishedyw.org

Life-Changing Experience

College scholarships are awarded at the state level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available nationally. The state representative will advance to the national program for the opportunity to compete for cash tuition scholarships. To participate, you must be in your junior of high school. Participants are evaluated in the areas of: scholastics, interview, talent, self-expression, and fitness.


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2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

Photo of Carrington Hodge
Carrington Hodge
FromHelena
University PreferenceVanderbilt University
Career GoalPediatric Neurosurgeon

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

Photo of Carrington Hodge
Carrington Hodge
From
Helena

University Preference
Vanderbilt University

Career Goal
Pediatric Neurosurgeon

Achievements:
AP Scholar Award Birmingham Black Women's Appreciation Luncheon Birmingham Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Outstanding Teen CollegeBoard National African American Recognition Program Scholar Hollywood Vibe Regional Dancer of the Year Honor Societies: English, French, History, Science, Math, Beta Club JCIB Learner Profile Award National Honor Society Princeton Prize Certificate of Merit Youth in Service Award for Advocacy and Awareness

Activites:
Class of 2022 Youth Leadership ForumClass of 2023 Commencement SpeakerCompetitive Dancer at Birmingham Dance Theatre for 8 yearsFounder of Unmasked: The Simone ProjectJCIB Black Student Union PresidentJCIB Lead Freshman MentorJCIB News Team Grade Level RepresentativeJCIB Student AmbassadorTeen Chaplain of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Birmingham ChapterYouthServe Youth Philanthropy Council Secretary

Additional:
25 hours of community service through JCIB Beta Club (2021-2022)280 community service hours through YouthServe Birmingham (2020-2022)3 years of summer dance camp assistance experience at Birmingham Dance Theatre80 hours dedicated to the creation and promotion of Unmasked: The Simone ProjectHosted JCIB Peanut Butter Drive and collected over 40 jars of peanut butter

2024 State Participants

Photo of Ashley Ballard
Ashley Ballard
CityThomasville
University PreferenceUniversity of South Alabama
Career GoalSurgeon
TalentMartial Arts
Photo of Ashlyn Berry
Ashlyn Berry
CityVestavia
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalMusic Educator
TalentClarinet
Photo of Kassidy Brooks
Kassidy Brooks
CityTuskegee
University PreferenceUAB
Career GoalBecome An Optometrist
TalentPiano
Photo of Emma Brunson
Emma Brunson
CityRainbow City
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalLaw/Political Science
TalentSpoken Word Poetry
Photo of Marielle Burque
Marielle Burque
CityDothan
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalMusical Theatre Performance And Psychology
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Alexandria (Alli Kate)  Calhoun
Alexandria (Alli Kate)  Calhoun
CityClanton
University PreferenceTroy University
Career GoalNursing
TalentCheer And Tumbling
Photo of Mary Helen Compton
Mary Helen Compton
CityLinden
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalGraphic Design
TalentSinging
Photo of Hannah Congo
Hannah Congo
CityMadison
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalBusiness Major
TalentSinging
Photo of Elsie Clare Coppage
Elsie Clare Coppage
CityTroy
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalNursing
TalentPiano
Photo of Wesley  Craft
Wesley  Craft
City35470
University PreferenceUniversity of West Alabama
Career GoalMultidimensional Interior Design
TalentDance
Photo of Fredricka Douglas
Fredricka Douglas
CityMidway
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama or UAB
Career GoalRegistered Nurse
TalentPraise Dance
Photo of Claire Doyle
Claire Doyle
CityTuscaloosa
University PreferenceGeorgetown University
Career GoalBusiness Management
TalentBallet Variation
Photo of Caroline Fisher
Caroline Fisher
CityNew Site
University PreferenceAuburn University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Career GoalWorship Ministry And Business
TalentVocal Accompanied By Acoustic Guitar
Photo of Abby Fleming
Abby Fleming
CityFrisco City
University PreferenceCoastal Community College
Career GoalCosmetology
TalentSinging
Photo of Allison "Allie" M. Floyd
Allison "Allie" M. Floyd
CityChatom
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalMechanical Engineer
TalentLyrical Dance
Photo of Carolyn Jean  Forest
Carolyn Jean  Forest
CityHope Hull
University PreferenceAlabama University
Career GoalPharmaceutical Sales Representative
TalentPiano
Photo of Reagan Grace Hankins
Reagan Grace Hankins
CityWetumpka
University PreferenceAuburn
Career GoalProfessional Actor/ Musical Theatre Or Tv
TalentMusical Theater Selection
Photo of Cate Herring
Cate Herring
CityAuburn
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalAttorney
TalentContemporary Ballet Dance
Photo of Stella Hill
Stella Hill
CityRussellville
University PreferenceUniversity of North Alabama
Career GoalNurse Anesthesist
TalentDance
Photo of Isabel Horton
Isabel Horton
CityJoppa
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalPediatrician
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Kaitlyn Howard
Kaitlyn Howard
CityCentreville
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalAnesthesiologist
TalentBaton Twirling
Photo of Sydney Hunzicker
Sydney Hunzicker
CityFlorence
University PreferenceOklahoma City University
Career GoalMusical Theatre
TalentDance
Photo of Hope Jacobs
Hope Jacobs
CityDouble Springs
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalProfessor Of The Arts/Orchestral Musician
TalentInstrumental Solo
Photo of Hannah Johnson
Hannah Johnson
CityBrewton
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalTo Become A History And Classics Professor At The University Of Alabama
TalentPowwow Dancing
Photo of DeAsia Jones
DeAsia Jones
CityMobile
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Career GoalSurgical Dermatologist
TalentDance
Photo of Madison Kelley
Madison Kelley
CityOzark
University PreferenceWallace community college
Career GoalBusiness Owner
TalentDance
Photo of Lelia Kelly
Lelia Kelly
CityValley Grande
University PreferenceUniversity of Mississippi
Career GoalMajor In Public Relations
TalentContemporary
Photo of Anna  McSpadden
Anna  McSpadden
CityHenagar
University PreferenceUniversity of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Career GoalPerforming Arts
TalentSinging/Yodeling
Photo of Erin Mitchell
Erin Mitchell
CityMontgomery
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalSpeech Pathologist
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Gracen Murphy
Gracen Murphy
CityDeatsville
University PreferenceTroy University
Career GoalNurse Practitioner
TalentPiano Solo
Photo of Ally Naylor
Ally Naylor
CityMoulton
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalEnvironmental Engineering
TalentPiano
Photo of Nora Pace
Nora Pace
CityMuscle Shoals
University PreferenceUniversity of North Alabama, Samford University
Career GoalEnglish Teacher, Writer, Entrepreneur
TalentLyrical/Contemporary Dance
Photo of Avery Paysinger
Avery Paysinger
CityAthens
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalAttorney
TalentMonologue
Photo of Virginia Caroline Pierce
Virginia Caroline Pierce
CitySpanish Fort
University PreferenceVanderbilt University, University of Texas, University of Miami
Career GoalVocal Performance And Entertainment Law
TalentVocal Performance
Photo of Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
CityDecatur
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalDoctorate Of Pharmacy
TalentBallet En Pointe
Photo of Rylee Reynolds
Rylee Reynolds
CityElba
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalArchitecture And Interior Architecture
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Ivy Rogers
Ivy Rogers
CityAndalusia
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Career GoalAttend Uab To Get Degree In Biomedical Sciences, And Later On Pursue A Career To Become A Dermatologist
TalentBallet/Jazz Dance
Photo of Jennifer Sanchez
Jennifer Sanchez
CityClio
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Career GoalElementary Education
TalentSinging
Photo of Anne Elise Shealy
Anne Elise Shealy
CityGreenville
University PreferenceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Career GoalDermatologist
TalentPointe Ballet
Photo of Scarlett  Swiney
Scarlett  Swiney
CityHoover
University PreferenceAuburn University, Vanderbilt University
Career GoalDermatologist, Accountant
TalentJazz Dance
Photo of Caroline Thompson
Caroline Thompson
CityJasper
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama or Auburn University
Career GoalProfessional Dancing, Choreography, Education
TalentPiano
Photo of Ella-Kate  Tomlin
Ella-Kate  Tomlin
CityLuverne
University PreferenceTroy University
Career GoalEntrepreneurship
TalentJazz Dance
Photo of Maya Toomey
Maya Toomey
CityMillry
University PreferenceUniversity of South Alabama
Career GoalDouble Board Certified In Internal Medicine And Pediatrics
TalentSpoken Word
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