Distinguished Young Woman orientation next week

MOSES LAKE — Organizers of the Moses Lake Distinguished Young Woman program will sponsor two meetings for high school juniors interested in participating. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 and March 1 in the cafeteria at Chief Moses Middle School, 1111 East Nelson Rd.

Girls can attend either session, said organizer Bonnie Dorris, and should bring a parent or guardian with them. The information provided is the same both nights. There is no charge for participation.

The Distinguished Young Woman program is scheduled for April 15 at the Moses Lake High School theater, 803 East Sharon Ave. Practices begin about a month before the program, and that’s one of the topics covered at the orientation meetings.

Prior to the program participants go through a scholastic assessment and an individual interview with the judges, Dorris said in an earlier interview. During the program all participants are asked an individual question and perform an individual routine designed to highlight their talents. There’s also a group fitness routine.

Participants receive college scholarships. But Dorris said the goal is to give all the girls confidence and show them what they can do, whether or not they qualify for a scholarship.

Dorris said she’s been involved with the DYW program since her daughter was a participant in the late 1990s, and stays involved because of the impact on the participants. The girls learn about themselves and how to present themselves, and make new friends besides, she added.