Distinguished Young Women Competition

On Saturday, October 19, eight excelling senior girls from Plainfield participated in the competition for the 2025 Distinguished Young Women scholarship.

The contestants competed in various categories including interview, scholastics, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Senior Lily Snider was named the competition's overall winner. "I won self-expression, talent, overall, scholastic, and fitness," she said.

Contestants received financial scholarships as a reward for success in competitions. Snider said, "I won by not thinking of it as a competition, but rather doing my best and preparing for my future." Due to her victory, Snider will have the opportunity to advance to the state level for further competition and scholarship opportunities.

Snider felt that her weakest area in the competition was her interview, stating that, "My interview did not go well. I did spend some time preparing for it and doing mock questions with some of the leaders, but it was my first event and I stressed out too much so it did not go well." Snider added, "that's okay, because my friends did well."

While Snider is the only Plainfield contestant with the opportunity to advance to state, other contestants were able to gain rewards, experience, and prestige through competing. Snider said, "I was really proud of the other girls because I know they worked really hard that entire week."

Story by Henry Wielenberg