Every year the Waldorf Jaycee’s partners with the Distinguished Young Women Program to sponsor the Distinguished Young Women of Southern Maryland Scholarship Program for female juniors. For the past two years in a row a North Point girl has taken the title of Ms. Southern Maryland. The 2011 winner was Sierra Terrell (’12) and the 2012 winner is Tiffaney Robinson (’13).
The program consists of six parts: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent, spirit and evening wear. Each category offers its own scholarship, but there is also a scholarship given for the overall winner. Both Terrell and Robinson were overall winners so they received a scholarship and moved on to the state level of the competition. The girls also won in two other categories offering them two more scholarships. Terrell won the talent category at both the local and state level and the fitness category at the state level. Robinson earned the scholarships for the talent category and the scholastic category at the local level.
Both girls danced for their talent. Terrell danced to “Almost Lover” by A Fine Frenzy at the local level and “California King Bed” by Rihanna at the state level. Robinson performed her dance routine to William McDowell’s “I Won’t Go Back”.
The girls both enjoyed the experience and all they earned from it. “It was a really good experience. I met a lot of new people and I was able to learn a few more things about myself. Every moment I had there impacted me in a new way. I was very grateful to be able to do it,” commented Robinson. “I enjoyed the preparation and spending the day getting ready and learning the routines with the other girls,” added Terrell.
Aside from the scholarships offered from the program itself, there are many colleges that offer full ride scholarships to winners of the competition because of its national prominence. Terrell was offered a total of three full ride scholarships from winning the local and state levels of the competition. She has decided to attend Troy University in Alabama.
This summer Terrell will compete at the national level competition in Mobile, Alabama. Next year Robinson will compete at the state level competition. “I expect it to be another great experience, but as far as the people and procedures of the next competition I am trying not to expect anything that would psych me out,” added Robinson. North Point wishes both girls the best of luck as they continue in the competition.
If any rising junior girl is interested in the program, she can listen out for announcements near the end of December or early January during the upcoming school year. More information will be available in the Career Center.