SPHS’ Powell to represent Alabama at Distinguished Young Women National Finals

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This month, Spain Park High’s Madeline Powell will represent Alabama at the Distinguished Young Women National Finals. 

The scholarship program will welcome Madeline and representatives from other states to engage in community service and team development for two weeks in Mobile leading up to the finals on June 26-28. During the event, participants will compete for part of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships and the title of Distinguished Young Woman of America.

Madeline won the Shelby County competition in 2013, earning $6,100 of the $19,000 the organization presented in scholarships. As Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama, she also received in-kind scholarships from all universities in the state that will cover the cost of her tuition wherever she chooses to attend.

280 Living caught up with Madeline during her preparations for the state finals to learn a little more about her feelings on the program, her expectations for the event and her favorite things about 280.

What did it feel like to be named the state’s Distinguished Young Woman?

Being named Alabama’s DYW was indescribably wonderful. I respect and admire everything that the Distinguished Young Woman program stands for and encourages in girls, and it is an honor I am so humbled and proud to have received. The biggest rush came when they announced my name and I was immediately hugged and congratulated by some of my closest friends I had made while at State. It felt amazing to know I had the support of the girls I had not just competed with but who I had become best friends with. It was a culminating moment for me because the work begins months or years before and then it is all over in one night and decided in one single moment. After competing in talent, physical fitness, self-expression, interview and having my scholastics evaluated, it was incredibly rewarding to be given the title. 

Who were some of the most influential people in getting you to this point?

I have a very long list of people who have helped and supported me to this point in my life. My sister, Melissa, is my biggest supporter. She understands my passion for the program and is always there to encourage me to do my best. My sister-in-law, Norma, has been a huge help to me as I prepare for the program. She participated in the program, and I trust her opinions and advice implicitly. My best friend, Susanna, is a large part of why I decided to participate in the DYW program. Seeing how the program helped her to grow and watching the journey it took her on encouraged me to participate.

How have you been able to affect positive change since earning the title?

Since earning the title, I have participated in the national Be Your Best Self week. Be Your Best Self is the outreach program of the DYW program, and it focuses on encouraging young people to be healthy, ambitious, involved, responsible and studious. I got the chance to talk to more than 200 students about this program at my dance studio and two locations of the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club. I talked to the kids about the elements of the program and then taught them a small fitness routine. I could see clearly on their faces how excited they were to get up and move and to learn the routine. It gave me so much joy to see them excited about learning the routine and taking part in the program. Their interest and attention to the presentation proved to me that the Distinguished Young Women all over the country, sharing the elements of the Be Your Best Self program, can really make a difference.

What do you expect the experience to be like at the national competition?

I was truly blessed with my experience at the state level and can only imagine the national program being a larger, more exciting version of the Alabama program. The state program introduced me to a very diverse group of young women who each brought a little something different from their part of the state. I am so excited to meet and get to know young women from every state. I plan on it being an overwhelming experience, but I think I can only benefit. I look forward to being overwhelmed at the national DYW program and plan to soak up everything I can. 

If you’re named the national winner, what would be your first campaign?

If I should win the national title, I would look forward to a bigger platform to promote the Distinguished Young Woman program in its entirety. This program provides so much scholarship money to young girls who are driven to succeed. This scholarship money can be life changing and allows for some girls to get a college education they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to get. I want to get the word out about this program so that it can impact as many young girls’ lives as possible. 

How will you be able to help people using the state title — or possibly national title — in the coming year?

I hope to be able to serve as a role model and mentor to girls participating in the program and to those who are not. This program has helped me grow, and to discover so much about myself, and I want to be able to share that with young girls everywhere. I love getting to talk to others about this program because I truly believe it is a transformative experience, bringing about positive change for each girl that participates at any level of competition. 

What 280 corridor restaurants and hotspots can people find you at when not competing?

I enjoy visiting the Summit shopping center and the restaurants within like Urban Cookhouse and Village Tavern. My friends and I like to go to dinner at Pablo’s and Taziki’s in Lee Branch or Ginza. I love to visit and get Baby Bites from Pastry Art to satisfy my sweet tooth. My favorite Southwestern food is definitely Cantina. 

What do you like about living on 280?

Living on 280 makes everything so convenient. From good food to shopping to fun activities, 280 has a taste of everything. I don’t have to travel far to get to anything I need.

For more, visit distinguishedyw.org.