By Scottie Brown

The Selma Times-Journal

 

Eighteen high school senior girls in Dallas County will get the chance to receive a scholarship and participate in the Distinguished Young Women program on Aug. 16 in the Pickard Auditorium.

Contestants will compete in five different categories comprising of talent, scholastics, fitness, self-expression and interview. But, Ashley Strikland, the co-chair for the Dallas County program, said the scholastic category is considered more by judges.

“There is a panel of scholastic judges are not judges for that night,” Strikland said.  “This is kept separate that way the girls won’t feel that some girls are higher because she has a 31 ACT and some girls may be lower because they have an 18 ACT. The five judges that are coming on the 16th to judge, they have no record of their scholastics. That’s already been determined by a separate group, and they’re kept confidential.”

The program, which sets out to give scholarships to the overall winner and winners in each category, is entirely funded by community donations. With time still left before Aug. 16, Demisha Stough, the director for the Distinguished Young Women program for Dallas County, said she would like to see a few more donations.

“If we get enough money we’re hoping to get three [winners] in each category instead of two,” Stough said.

While 18 may seem like a large number of participants, Strikland said no girl who applied was turned away from the program.

“Unless you live outside of Dallas County, that’s the only way you’re denied,” Strikland said. “The only thing we really check is that they’re a resident of Dallas County. We don’t deny anyone.”

The program stresses the importance of being well rounded, and Strikland says the judging has nothing to do with beauty.

“I think the program is so effective because it’s not a beauty pageant,” Strikland said. It doesn’t have anything to do with beauty. They’re never once rated on how their hair is done or how curvy or skinny they are. It’s based on your ability to think on your feet and your ability to be able to be a well-rounded child.”