Madison Ramirez (12) participated and was the 5th runner up in this year’s Distinguished Young Women’s Pageant. Ramirez won $750 for placing, $1,000 for winning the interview category, and a $12,500 tuition grant from Hawaii Pacific University.

Distinguished Young Women’s Pageant is formerly Hawaii Junior Miss. Distinguished Young Women’s Pageant. Distinguished Young Women Pageant is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments, states their website.

Ramirez said that the competition judges scholastics, interview, self expression which is an onstage interview question, talent, and fitness routine.

“The first thing is that they really don’t like to call this competition a pageant because it really is so much more,” she said. “It’s a competition that has a large portion of scholastics and focuses on making yourself a better women in all aspects of academics, health, and communication.”

Ramirez initially entered the competition for scholarship money, but discovered more from her experience.

“It seemed like it was fun and a great way to develop interview skills and really just how to present yourself to answer both political, personal, and cultural questions,” she said. “It was all academic based and the amazing network of Distinguished Young Women is a really great way to be connected for your future.”

Twenty-four other girls, who are at the top of their class and involved in numerous activities, represented their schools. Despite the competitive program, contestants supported each other.

Ramirez said, “The girls I met were all very nice and we all helped one another through this long competition.”

Ramirez prepared for the competition by participating in mock interview practices. Yet, she said that she struggled with writing an original poem that she needed to memorize and perform, and having the confidence to be on stage.

Even though Madison hasn’t participated in anything like this competition, she said, “It’s really an amazing program and really helps you with interview skills and other communication skills as well as really gets you to realize that you can do anything.”

“DYW is a great program and girls who are going to be seniors next year should really consider it,” she said.