Hayley Jarman
hjarman@jpress.com
The Distinguished Young Women of Montgomery County program is looking for members of the Class of 2027 to participate in its upcoming program, offering young women an opportunity to compete for scholarships while building skills that can extend beyond high school.
A call-out meeting for prospective participants and their parents will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Crawfordsville District Public Library, 205 S. Washington St.
The program is open to high school senior girls who live in Montgomery County or attend North Montgomery, Southmont or Crawfordsville high schools. Home-schooled students in the county planning to graduate in 2027 also are eligible.
Formerly known as Junior Miss, Distinguished Young Women is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school senior girls. The program provides scholarships and skill-building opportunities at the local, state and national levels.
Since 1958, Distinguished Young Women has awarded more than $126 million in cash scholarships, with $1 billion awarded annually.
Participants are evaluated in five categories: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression. Scholastics are based on grades and school activities and are scored separately, while the remaining categories are judged on program day, when the Distinguished Young Woman of Montgomery County is selected.
The interview portion takes place privately before judges. Talent, fitness and self-expression are judged during the public program. Participants perform a 90-second talent of their choosing, answer an onstage question provided that day and take part in a group fitness routine.
A date for the 2027 program has not yet been selected and will be announced later.
Abby Sayler, who graduated from Southmont High School and was named the county’s Distinguished Young Woman in 2024, encouraged eligible students to take part.
“Young women should take this opportunity because not only can you gain financial aid, but you can also gain many life skills that you will use for the rest of your life,” Sayler said. “You can learn so much from participating in the program. As a participant in this program myself, I have gotten many opportunities that I may not have gone out for before joining Distinguished Young Women.”
Earlier this year, Katherine Novak, who graduated from Crawfordsville High School, was named the 2026 Distinguished Young Woman of Indiana and competed on the national stage.
The call-out meeting is open to eligible students and their parents.
