Distinguished Young Women OF Morgan County


is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership and talent in young women. Earn scholarships for higher education, personally develop through the DYW Life Skills Workshops, and make new friends from around the state.


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Photo of Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
Distinguished Young Woman of Morgan County for 2024
Local Program Information

Applications for the Class of 2025 Program are now being accepted! DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JULY 20, 2024!!

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Morgan County is a part of the Distinguished Young Women of North Central Alabama Local Program.

Class of 2025 Program Information

Date: September 21, 2024
Location: TBD

Life-Changing Experience

College scholarships are awarded at the state level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available nationally. The state representative will advance to the national program for the opportunity to compete for cash tuition scholarships. To participate, you must be in your junior of high school. Participants are evaluated in the areas of: scholastics, interview, talent, self-expression, and fitness.


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2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Morgan County

2025 Local Participants


These participants will take part in the up-coming local program.

Participants

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Morgan County

Photo of Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
Isabelle (Izzy Kate) Priest
From
Decatur

University Preference
Auburn University

Career Goal
Doctorate of Pharmacy

Achievements:
Junior Class Marshall - given to 1st and 2nd ranked students in Junior ClassAmerican Legion Auxiliary "Good Deed Award" (National Award)Delegate to ALA Alabama Girls StateNational Honor Society - Austin High School ChapterUniversity of Alabama Early College Honor SocietyMu Alpha Theta Honor Society - Member & SecretaryNational English Honor SocietyTri-M National Music Honor SocietyAustin High School Junior Class Homecoming AttendantOutstanding Band Student - AHS Band (9th, 10th, & 11th grade)

Activites:
Dance - Ballet en Pointe, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical; Recently I received the honor of dancing as Clara in Decatur's performance of The Nutcracker at The Princess Theater.Austin High School Band - Flute, Majorette, Leadership TeamDecatur Presbyterian Church, P.C.A. Youth GroupAustin High School Ambassadors ProgramAlabama Youth Leadership Development ProgramDecatur/Morgan County Chamber of Commerce EDGE Leadership ProgramAustin High School Key Club - Senior Class RepresentativeAustin High School DECAAustin High School Scholars BowlTutor at Austin Middle School

Additional:
I created Pack-A-Purse service project for women recently released from jail or leaving domestic abuse. My first drive was in February of 2023 and I just completed my second drive in October 2023, which more than tripled donations from the first drive! Between both drives, I have collected approximately 200 purses and over $7,500 in toiletries for women in need in my community. These items are donated to the Neighborhood Christian Center's clothes closet, where they are given to ladies looking to re-enter the workforce, applying for further education, and obtaining housing after coming from jail, rehab or abusive situations.I recently organized a community blood drive with LifeSouth in honor of a family member of an employee with my school district. I helped organize the location and date of the drive as well as generated infographics and publicized the drive. I was also the point of contact the entire day of the drive, sitting at the check-in table and greeting each donor and ensuring they had a positive experience and providing any needs they had throughout the process. The goal we set was to have 70 people donate blood and we surpassed our goal by having 97 donations! It was an incredible opportunity to help save lives while honoring a life that was gone too soon. I am a tutor/mentor for students at Austin Middle School math classes/band students as well as Chestnut Grove Elementary School. I provide tutoring for any students who may need extra help and mentor those students who may need extra encouragement. I also mentor and provide free baton lessons to young girls who may want to learn how to twirl a baton and have participated in a local twirl club as a volunteer instructor. I also am a member at Decatur Presbyterian Church and assist with the children's ministry in "Teach Me to Worship" and also help in the nursery in a rotation.I have been active in volunteering every year since I was around 9 years old with our local Decatur Kiwanis Club Pancake Day. I have carried buckets of batter, cleaned tables, worked take-out, and provided "second servings" every year. It is a community event that everyone loves and is fun to work and get to see everyone in our town.I have participated in Wreaths Across America in December of 2022 and am leading a group this December in placement of wreaths to honor those who served our country.

2025 Local Participants

Photo of Alayna Garth
Alayna Garth
CityDecatur
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalPolitics/Law
TalentVocal Performance
Photo of Madeline McMahan
Madeline McMahan
CityDecatur
University PreferenceUniversity of North Alabama
Career GoalAccountant (Human Resources)
TalentVocal
Photo of Joanna Rogers
Joanna Rogers
CityDecatur
University PreferenceUniversity of Alabama
Career GoalPediatric Sports Medicine Physical Therapist
TalentContemporary Solo "Angel Of Light"
Photo of Madyson  Swoopes
Madyson  Swoopes
CityTrinity
University PreferenceAuburn University
Career GoalLawyer
TalentBaton Twirling
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