Richardson to Represent: TDHS student Going to DYW Nationals

TDHS Senior Zora Richardson gave it her all in Salem on Aug. 7. She was chosen to represent Oregon at the National Distinguished Young Women’s Program in Mobile, Alabama in June 2022.

By Tom Peterson

Zora Richardson was picked to be Oregon’s Representative for the National Distinguished Young Women’s Program in Mobile, Alabama next June.

Zora Richardson said the State Distinguished Young Women’s Program the week before the competition in Salem on Aug. 7 was “a bit intimidating…”

“... to walk into a room full of strangers on the first night and know I was competing against them,” Richardson said, “but I made friends and became close with several of the girls as the week went on.”

That intimidation must have turned out to be downright comfortable as Richardson took the top prize at  Blanchet Catholic School, and was named Oregon’s State Representative for Distinguished Young Women. 

She will go on to compete at the national level in Mobile, Alabama, next June. 

“The local committee is incredibly excited and proud of all her hard work,” said Tiffany Prince, Wasco County DYW Chair.“

Richardson won the Wasco County DYW last March.

Richardson worked hard to get to Salem and then dug in once she arrived. 

On Aug. 7th, “The morning of the program, I had my interview in which I ended up having the top score in and winning a scholarship! Interview is hands-down my favorite portion of the program,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the event itself -- I had spent hours upon hours preparing for the program, and I had the experience of the local program behind me, so I was able to trust my training and just relax and enjoy the evening.”

L-R: Ellie Auvinen, Spirit of DYW and Scholastic recipient, Zora Richardson, Interview recipient and Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon, and Arshia Rajeshrayanan, First Alternate. 

For her talent, Richardson performed a theatre piece. It counted for 20 percent of her score in the program. 

“I am a performer, and my theatre experience makes me feel very at home on stage, so I had an amazing time performing for the judges,” she said.  

Each Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics, 25%; Interview, 25%; Talent, 20%; Fitness, 15%;  and Self-Expression, 15%.

“I'm thrilled to be attending nationals in Mobile, Alabama in June of 2022!,” Richardson said. “The local committee (Tiffany Prince, Carolyn Lai, and Kris Vassar, among others) were very helpful and supportive during the preparation process. They answered all of my questions, set up mock interviews, and helped me with my talent and fitness routine. They even sent me flowers when I was in Salem! I had a wonderful host family with Shannon Johns, the state chair, who made my time there comfortable and enjoyable. Sanya Surya, last year's state DYW, was a wonderful mentor to all the girls. 

Next June, Richardson will spend two weeks getting to know girls from around the country, enjoying fun events, volunteering in the local community, developing life skills for college and beyond, rehearsing for the final showcase and performing on stage during our National Finals. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, according to the national DYW website. 

“While I was excited to win, I am even more thrilled that I get to help out with this year's local and state programs and push a new group of young women to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives,” she said.