Megan Barber
Franklin Free Press
Although pageants are not something she has participated in regularly, Anna Catherine Smith decided that entering the Distinguished Young Women Program was something she wanted to try.
“I love trying new things,” said Smith, a senior at Russellville High School. “I try to advocate that at school to my friends. The program was very much outside my comfort zone, but I like challenging myself.”
The Distinguished Young Women program provides scholarship opportunities to high school girls. The girls are judged on their fitness level, self-expression, talent, interview and scholastic achievement during competition.
Smith won Distinguished Young Woman of Franklin County last July and went to state competition two weeks ago at Frazier United Methodist Church in Montgomery. At state, Smith competed against 50 other girls, who were all winners from their counties in Alabama.
Although she enjoyed being a part of the program, Smith’s favorite part of her new adventure was making new friends.
“I enjoyed meeting the other girls from other counties, especially in our program in north Alabama,” Smith said. “It was a good experience to meet other people from different walks of life.”
During the week she spent in Montgomery at State competition, Smith and her fellow Distinguished Young Women friends submitted diary entries to AL.com/Press-Register. Throughout the daily diary contest, every day a winner was selected and had her entry published online.
Smith had one of her submissions selected and published that described that before the competition she was very close-minded to the other girls, but as the week went by her notions changed.
She wrote, “Throughout this week, I have been emotionally touched by the solidarity exhibited by the girls involved in this program.They are all so selfless in giving compliments and helping one another. Even when I messed up, all of the girls would tell me that I did my best and try to cheer me up. They are not only my competitors, but they are also my friends.”
The rest of her diary entry can be found at http://bit.ly/1EMIGle.
When asked what she would say to other girls thinking about participating in the program next year, she replied, “Just go for it with all that you have. Do not worry about winning, but just have fun.”
Smith seems to have adopted her own encouraging words as her personal motto as she tries different activities at school. This year at RHS, Smith has served as Drum Major, Student Council president, Homecoming Queen and a member of the Russellville Percussion Line. She is involved in numerous other clubs at school.
She also volunteers her time with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) as an Alumni Staff for service projects. Through her Distinguished Young Women competitions, Smith has earned $1,400 in scholarship money to use towards college.
“I plan on majoring in engineering at Auburn University or the University of Alabama and later going to law school,” said Smith.
With a degree in engineering and law, Smith wants to work at a corporation and manage its patents.
Smith had a great time at State, but she did miss her family during the week she was gone. Her parents are Mike and Stephanie Mayfield and Tim and Debbie Smith. Her grandparents are John and Patricia Smith and Linda Madden and the late Billy Madden. She has six brothers and sisters.
