Adams to represent Dale County at state DYW

A Carroll High School senior will represent Dale County at the 2021 Alabama Distinguished Young Woman program.

Julia Adams of Ozark will be among the participants in the state program being held virtually Jan. 22 and 23 due to COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions.

Distinguished Young Women of Alabama is part of the national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women.

College scholarships are awarded at the state level and national level of the program. Some $42,500 last year in state and and $1 billion nationally in scholarships were awarded.

The first preliminary competition is Friday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 p.m. It will include introduction of the Class of 2021. The second preliminary competition is Saturday, Jan. 23, at 1 p.m. Finals is Saturday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. and culminates with the announcement of the 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

One representative will advance to the national program in Mobile in June where more than $130,000 in cash tuition scholarships are awarded.

Those interested can watch the events via www.distinguishedalabama.com.

“I am so thankful for the Distinguished Young Woman program,” said the daughter of Kirke and Angie Adams and the granddaughter of Joe W. and the late Christine Adams.

Julia Adams’ talent is a singing/theatrical performance of “Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Adams is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Dale County Youth Leadership Program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Female Athlete of the Year. She is a member of 1st Team All-State 5A Soccer and winner of the Girls’ Varsity Soccer Coaches Award.

She is the Carroll High School Varsity Soccer Team Captain, a Carroll High School Varsity Cheerleader, Vice President of the Student Government Association, Misses Club Inc. President, Chairman of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Dale County Plays Student Director and a member of the Top Floor Youth at First United Methodist Church of Ozark.

Adams plans to attend the University of Alabama after graduation and pursue a nursing career

“Although I did not get to travel to Montgomery for the state program due to the pandemic, I still learned so much throughout this experience,” she said. “It is such a wonderful program that brings you out of your shell and helps young women to be more confident in their own skin and be their best self.”

“Be your best self” is the theme of the scholarship program that focuses on scholarship, leadership and talent. The program takes place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. and is for young women who participate in either their junior or senior year of high school. There is no cost to sign up for the program.

Each DYW program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics is 25 percent of the total score, Interview is 25 percent, Talent is 20 percent, Fitness is 15 percent and Self-Expression is 15 percent.

The Dale County DYW program was held virtually Oct. 25, 2020. In addition to being named 2021 DYW of Dale County, Adams won the Self-Expression category.

First Alternate Claudia Walker also won the Interview, Talent, Scholastics and Fitness Awards.

The 2021 winner of the state level will assume the title from 2020 DYW of Alabama Dominique Verville who represented Montgomery County at the 2020 program. Verville was named a top five finalist in Fitness, Self Expression, Scholastics, Interview and Talent, securing the state title and a spot in the National Finals Class of 2020. Due to the ongoing global pandemic, Verville’s trip to Mobile was cancelled but the show continued as a virtual production. At the national she was named a top five finalist in Fitness and Interview and the Second Alternate to the Distinguished Young Woman of America.

For more information about the Dale County DYW program, contact Donna Shuman at [email protected].

National Sponsors are Barbara Barrington Jones Foundation, Mobile County and The City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Wintzell’s Oyster House, Master Boat Builders Inc., Shoe Station, Gant Travel Management, Wellington and Bonnie Coffeen, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and the Alabama Media Group.