The community's Distinguished Young Women welcome local youth to their annual Be Your Best Self workshop.

Held Feb. 12, the BYBS workshop is Distinguished Young Women's official outreach program. 

Participants are encouraged to “be healthy, be involved, be studious, be ambitious and be responsible”, and to reach out to the youth of the community to make a commitment to being their best selves, DYW Sandpoint chair Aundrea Wolf said.

"The workshop was an afternoon of fun and education," Wolf added.

DYW participants Zella Lopez, Jasmine Alexander, Mira Gunter, Betti Travers, Peyton Guercio, and Alice Davison, and current Distinguished Young Woman Aurla Palmer, and 2021 “Forget-me-not” Maddie Gunter teamed up to share the BYBS message with young girls from the community. Taking part were Jameson Gunter, Aliyah Fisher, Sienna Williams, Brooklyn Geanetta, Kaydence Geanetta, Remmi Shadel, Aubrey Inge, Adie Ducey, Saylor Ducey, Ireland Brooks, Adelaide Lopez, Jane Hughes, Duffi Travers, and Annabell Thompson.

DYW participants and the youths then worked together to create 50 cards to present to the residents at The Bridge at Sandpoint. This allowed them to focus on the DYW principle of being involved, Wolf said.

"Each individual handmade card was filled with well wishes, love and greetings," she added.

On Feb. 16, Lopez, Alexander, Gunter, Travers, and Hall, participated in a mock interview with the residents of The Bridge. 

"Those in attendance asked several questions which participants responded with clarity and confidence," Wolf said. "The time spent together was heartfelt and enjoyable, providing the girls the opportunity to practice what they learned from their Interview and Public Speaking Workshops."

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Its mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in its life skills workshops that prepare them for success after high school.

National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, John Cauley Jeweler, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.

Distinguished Young Women of Sandpoint will be held March 23 at Sandpoint Middle School. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/children in advance, contact one of the participants or email Wolf at sandpoint@distinguishedyw.org. 

"Our theme is 'Courage' and we hope you’ll join us," Wolf said.