Vanek to compete in 62nd DYW nationals

Tayma Vanek of Colfax will depart for Mobile, Ala., next Monday, June 17, to participate in the 62nd Distinguished Young Women National Finals on June 27, 28 and 29 at the Mobile Civic Center Theater. Vanek, named Distinguished Young Woman of Washington, at the state event in Pullman last August, will be one of 50 representatives competing for thousands of dollars in scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2019.

Finals competition will include five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression.

During her two weeks in Mobile, Vanek will participate in team building activities, community service projects and interact with the Gulf Coast community through various events.

She will engage in many hours of rehearsal in preparation for the threenights of competition, according to Kendra Haskins, executive director for Distinguished Young Women.

The winner will spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the country through various appearances and promoting the program’s national outreach initiative: Be Your Best Self.

Vanek is a 2019 graduate of Colfax High School and the daughter of Amy and G. Todd Vanek.

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, developing their self-confidence and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Master Boat Builders, Encore Rehabilitation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Tara Principe, national headquarters marketing and communications director, at 251-438-3621 or Tara@DistinguishedYW.org.