Shafter's DYW to be selected in March

A new Shafter Distinguished Young Woman will be selected in March, with 16 participants this vying to represent the city of Shafter in the State DYW competition.

This year's participants include Marisol Bazan Gutierrez, the daughter of Jesus Eloisa Amador; Jayna Pierucci, daughter of Jerald and Jodie Pierucci; Noemi Prado, daughter of Everado and Elma Rodriguez; Camryn Eubanks, daughter of Nick and Roya Eubanks; Amelie Rosales, daughter of David and Patti Rosales; Emily Trado, daughter of Reina Yanez; Kaitlyn Arismendez, daughter of Paul and Feyna Arismendez; Alexis Lopez, daughter of Jeremy and Cassandra Lopez; Adriena Moreno-Bravo, daughter of Mario and Rosa Moreno; Celeste Perez, daughter of David Perez and Maria Rodriguez; Katie Pantoja, daughter of Juan Pantoja and Olga Cervantes; Erika Montoya, daughter of Sughei Montoya; Elissa Munoz, daughter of Edwin and Andrea Munoz; Emily Bejarano, daughter of Tomas Bejarano and Sandra Alvarez; Allison Figueroa, daughter of German and Martha Figueroa; and Lauren Givens, daughter of Chad and Vanessa Givens.

The Distinguished Young Woman program, formerly known as the Junior Miss program, has been giving girls the chance to compete for scholarships for decades and is one of the largest scholarship programs in the country.

" DYW program has impacted the lives of high school girls in Shafter by providing them with a once in a lifetime experience," says DYS Shafter Director Toni Frantz. The DYW program is a unique opportunity combining college and career readiness, life skills training, mentoring, friendships, fun and the chance to earn some college scholarships.

Participants meet regularly for a few months to connect, learn new skills and work hard, all in preparation for a live program in front of their family, friends and neighbors. At the conclusion of the program, awards are given, scholarship money is awarded and one girl is chosen to represent Shafter as the DYW. She will not only be involved in the community throughout the year, but she will also participate in the California Distinguished Young Woman program for another opportunity to earn scholarships and add to her high school experience.