DYW Lee County Recap!

June 21st was an exciting day in Lee County! The Class of 2026 Distinguished Young Women Program showcase featured so many amazing local rising seniors. They had been preparing since spring for their interviews, scholastics, and talent performances, but the week leading up to the performance is where everything really came together with group stage choreography by Kasey Shephard!

The week was full of rehearsals, inspirational guest speakers, encouragement from the “Little Sisters”, an educational dance workshop for the youngest DYW Darlings, and lots and lots of personal growth and confidence building. It was also a special week for our Class of 2025 Lee County DYW Sara Kate Speakman to complete her time in this role by sharing her heart with the new group of girls, and inspiring them with her example of kindness and dedication.

This year during the showcase, almost $14,000 of cash scholarship money was awarded to various participants for essay, community service, scholastic, interview, talent, self expression, and fitness categories of competition, and Memshalyah Weaver was named the Distinguished Young Women of Lee County! She will advance to competing at the Alabama Distinguished Young Women Program in January 2026!

Serving on the board for this organization for the past 8 years, I can say that this was a special year with a lot of really special young women who cared deeply about putting their best self forward in this competition and I’m so proud of each of them for doing exactly that! Every participant left this experience with new and stronger friendships and leadership skills that will help them with their future goals.