DuBose helping young women 'be their best'

December 23, 2013 9:27 PM

Photo courtesy of Susan DuBose.

Distinguished Young Women

Susan DuBose grew up hearing about the Junior Miss program, a nationwide scholarship competition for girls entering their senior year of high school. After her daughter competed in the program, now called Distinguished Young Women, and won $75,000 in scholarships, DuBose decided to invest her time with the organization that had paid for her child’s education, internship and study abroad opportunities.

Now the chairman for the Shelby County chapter of Distinguished Young Women, DuBose organizes the annual preliminary competition at Oak Mountain High School as well as service activities throughout the year. The competition, held each July, teaches girls about interview skills and gives them a chance to show off their talents and achievements for a chance at a scholarship or a spot in the state competition.

“These are usually very high-achieving, goal-oriented girls,” DuBose said.

The local competition is open to any rising senior girl in Shelby County, and participants are judged on academics, fitness, talent, self-expression and a personal interview. The winner earns a spot in the state competition. Scholarships are offered to the overall top-scorer and runners-up, as well as the top-scorers in each category. The winners of an essay contest and the Spirit Award, which is voted on by other participants, receive scholarship offers as well. Colleges like Jefferson State Community College and Troy State University often grant scholarships covering tuition or the full cost of attendance; the 2014 competition gave away more than $150,000 in college-granted scholarships.

“We have huge support from the community, so all the money we collect goes straight to scholarships,” DuBose said. “Our county typically gives out between $20,000 to $25,000 in scholarships each summer.”

Participants in the competition also work with the “Be Your Best Self” program, visiting the Boys and Girls Club and summer camps to teach younger children about healthy habits and academic success. DuBose said she enjoys watching girls gain confidence and poise each summer, and then use those skills to inspire children in elementary and middle school.

DuBose keeps in contact with past participants through Facebook, cheering them on in other Distinguished Young Women competitions and their college achievements.

“It was fun to watch them grow up and become so successful, and I believe we played a small part in that,” DuBose said.

The 2014 winner for Shelby County was Madeline Powell, a senior at Spain Park High School and captain of the dance team, the Dazzlers. Powell won $5,000 in cash scholarships and a full scholarship to Troy State University. On Jan. 17 and 18, she will be competing at the state competition in Montgomery.

To learn more about Distinguished Young Women of Shelby County, visit the chapter’s Facebook page or distinguishedyw.org.