Forty years and still changing lives

Since 1976, the scholarship program has had 684 participants and awarded $277,000 in scholarships.

The national program was started in 1957 by the Jaycees in Mobile, Ala.

College scholarships for women at that time were few and far between, so the organization was established to help young women with expenses to further their education.

Wasco County also began its program within the Jaycees and it was originally called Junior Miss.

Dave and Sandy Lutgens were among the local founding committee members and helped chair the program.

“I believe it was Klamath Falls that had the first chapter in Oregon,” said Dave. “It was our feeling that, while there were organizations that offered adventures and training for guys, the gals were really left out. We thought it would be great to raise some scholarship money for girls.

“It has proven to be a great program for 40 years, and has helped many girls blossom. In all the years we did it, the overriding response we got from contestants was how they all grew from the experience.”

The Lutgens have also supported the program through their business Shakey’s, and now Dave’s Hometown Pizza, with fundraisers and financial support.

The first scholarship, awarded in 1976 to Penny Wilcox, was $125. Scholarship amounts generally increased through the years to a record high of $17,000 in 2011.

Sheri Ashmore, the fourth Junior Miss

recipient and one of three Wasco County girls that went on to compete in Alabama, remembers the experience well.

“Wow, it doesn’t seem possible that 35 years has gone by since I participated in The Dalles Junior Miss program!” she said. “At that point in time the program was in its infancy but I learned very quickly how fortunate I was to come from such a close knit community that supported Junior Miss so enthusiastically.

For me, the local program certainly set the stage for my progress to the state and national levels. I learned many of the other contestants had not participated in a local pageant.

“They had advanced to the state level by performing in front of a panel of judges, with no ‘live’ audience. I began to realize how fortunate I was to have already had the experience of getting on stage and performing. It certainly helped calm my nerves and gave me a boost of confidence prior to the competition.

“Not surprisingly, my experience at the national program held in Mobile, Alabama, was so different from anything I had ever experienced. The impact of the Junior Miss program in my life continues to this day. I went to school in the south, married a southern boy, raised two young boys in the south and I continue to live in the south (although I did convince my husband to move a little further north to North Carolina!) It provided opportunities for me that I never would have experienced otherwise,” said Ashmore.

The participants in each year’s program earn the money that is awarded by doing many types of fundraisers, including car washes, bottle drives, and makeup, candle, and jewelry sales. However, the sponsorship drive with local businesses is by far the most successful fundraiser.

As with any organization that has stood the test of time, many changes have been made over the years. The name, for example — it has been called Junior Miss, Young Women of The Year and now Distinguished Young Women.

But the mission has remained the same: To positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.

Judging has also remained the same and is based on a formula: scholastics, 20 percent; interview, 25 percent; talent, 25 percent; fitness, 15 percent and self-expression, 15 percent.

The young woman that is awarded the title of the “Distinguished Young Woman of Wasco County” attends the state program, joining other local program title holders from Oregon to compete for additional scholarships.

Mary Stocks of The Dalles is the acting chair for the Oregon program.

Starks is active in The Dalles — she has been honored as the Woman of the Year — and when you find her volunteering it usually has something to do with “kids.”

As the state chair, she set two major goals: one was to increase the number of local programs and the second was to find a major sponsor to help increase the amount of available scholarship dollars.

Wasco County has had three young women named as state winners: Sheri Ashmore, Erin Sutherland and Jacque Underhill.

Underhill was the county’s most recent participant at the national competition.

“Without fail, every time that I watch these young women up on stage radiating with beauty, confidence, and talent, I get emotional,” she said.

“I remember watching the program as a little girl, sitting quite literally on the edge of my seat, captivated with the thought of being ‘one of them’ someday.

“What you see on stage is merely a glimpse into the life-transforming adventure offered to each and every participant.

What I love most about this program is that there are no losers. Each participant is actively discovering her inner voice, taking a stand, cultivating confidence, and setting an example for someone. What a worthy endeavor.

“Without the support and encouragement of my DYW family, I would not have had the opportunity to study at the University of South Alabama, experience life outside my comfort zone or have the nationwide network of peers, coaches and supporters who I’ve met throughout this journey,” Underhill explained.

The program is a year-long commitment for many women on the local committee.

Kris Vassar, who was a participant when she was in high school and went on to compete at the state level, is one of many still involved. Her scholarship helped her attend college, where she obtained a teaching degree and later taught at Petersburg Elementary.

She came back to the program as an adult and serves as chaperone, co-chair, chair and judge chair. She has choreographed some of the routines and one of her many specialties is preparing participants for the state program.

“It is chaired by women (and sometimes men) who have a respect and love for the program and the youth of today and the desire to help them better themselves, achieve their goals and further their education,” said Vassar.

“This program becomes a part of who you are as a person when you volunteer. I love to watch the girls grow and experience all of the levels of the program weather they win any scholarship dollars or not.

“It is life changing for each girl.”