Be Your Best Self

We all want to raise our children to be the best they can be, right? A national program -- based in Mobile -- is trying to help that along with high school girls. It's the Distinguished Young Women program. The national portion of it kicks off this week. And, some very accomplished young women are here on the Gulf Coast.

They are starting a two-week visit. These ladies -- all in high school -- come from all over the country, one from each state. They're all hoping to become the Distinguished Young Woman of the year. This is a scholarship program, and a lot goes into that title.

"In addition to scholarships, we also prepare them by giving them skills for interview and really how to be successful in their life. We focus on how to deal with other people, how to work together as a group and how to really look inside themselves and find what really makes them feel great about themselves. And, what they can do that's really important and help develop that so they have an opportunity to make a difference in the world, " explains Becky Jo Peterson, the Executive Director of the Distinguished Young Women Program.

The goal of the program is to celebrate the leadership and achievements of the participants.
While they're here, the girls will get to really experience life in our part of the country. They'll visit local beaches, restaurants, and community favorites. And, with the Junior League of Mobile, they will take part in a day of community service. It's called Be Your Best Self Day. The girls will work with three local agencies, Habitat for Humanity, Dumas Wesley Community Center and Woody's Song. A really a fun way to give back.

The Distinguished Young Women participants have a busy two weeks ahead. And, you are invited to get involved. To learn more about the Distinguished Young Women program, click here.

Here's a look at the schedule of events:

6th Annual Wintzell's Golf Classic
Friday, June 22 @ 8:30 a.m. - Lakewood Golf Club at the Grand Hotel
Enjoy a round of golf benefiting Distinguished Young Women. The 50 state
representatives will be on hand to greet golfers at the start of the
tournament.

Meet & Greet Autograph Session
Friday, June 22 @ 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. - Bel Air Mall
Don't miss your chance to collect autographs from all 50 Distinguished Young
Women! Meet them all and talk to them one on one.

Wintzell's Oyster Eating Contest
Monday, June 25 @ 11:45 a.m. - Wintzell's Oyster House (Downtown)
Watch as the Class of 2012 gets a taste of a Gulf Coast delicacy!

Community Night
Wednesday, June 27 @ 6:30 p.m. - Mobile Civic Center Theater
Get a sneak peak of the Distinguished Young Women Class of 2012 as they
perform selections from the 55th National Finals Program. For tickets, call
251-438-3621.

55th National Finals - Preliminaries & Finals Night
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 28, 29 & 30 @ 7:00 p.m. - Mobile Civic Center Theater
Join us for the Distinguished Young Women Preliminary Competitions on
Thursday and Friday as the Class of 2012 competes in fitness, talent and self expression.
On Saturday evening, help us in celebrating 55 years of inspiring young
women during the Distinguished Young Women National Finals. At the end of
the night, one young woman will be named Distinguished Young Woman of
America for 2012.

For tickets, call 251-438-3621.