Teen taking part in national finals
<p><strong>Sierra Crandell</strong> talks May 2 to Peterson School fifth-grade students about what to expect in middle school. Her talk was part of her role as Distinguished Young Woman of Montana. Crandell is in Mobile, Alabama, this week participating in the 57th Annual Distinguished Young Women National Finals. </p>
Sierra Crandell of Kalispell is competing this week in the Distinguished Young Women National Finals at the Mobile Civic Center Theater in Mobile, Alabama.
Crandell is one of 50 state representatives competing for more than $150,000 in scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2014.
Actual competition is Thursday through Saturday; Crandell has been in Alabama since June 15 participating in team-building activities, community service projects and community interactions in addition to hours of rehearsals.
Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program open to high school girls to reward scholarship, leadership and talent.
Crandell, 18, graduated earlier in June from Glacier High School with a 4.0 grade point average.
Crandell was active in dance and choir and was a member of National Honor Society and Leaders of Tomorrow.
The daughter of Julie and Brian Crandell, she plans to attend Montana State University this fall.
Sierra Crandell was named Distinguished Young Woman of Montana following competition in Cut Bank in August 2013.
The National Finals competition will include five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression.
For her talent presentation, Crandell will perform a jazz dance to “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga.
If selected as the national winner, Crandell would spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the country through various appearances promoting the program’s national outreach initiative, “Be Your Best Self.”
The outreach program is designed to combat major issues facing children today, including childhood obesity and high school dropout rates, as well as encourage young people to take an active interest in their communities through service.
The outreach program encompasses a mission to “Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible.”
To view a live webcast of the Distinguished Young Women National Finals, go to www.DistinguishedYW.org at 6 p.m. June 28.