EARLIER THIS SUMMER, Valerie Noria, a rising senior at Mater Dei Catholic High School, competed in the Distinguished Young Women scholarship program in Bakersfield, CA. In this competition, she was evaluated holistically on a number of talents, and went on to win Distinguished Young Women of
Irvine and received recognition on the state level in the fitness category.
MATER DEI STUDENT VALERIE NORIA RECEIVED RECOGNITION IN THE STATE LEVEL FITNESS CATEGORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN COMPETITION. PHOTO BY B PITTS PHOTOGRAPHY
The Distinguished Young Women program is a scholarship program that evaluates scholastic, interview, talents, fitness and self-expression. As part of the competition, contestants compete locally and then move on to a state-wide competition.
State Director Susan Finch described the program: “Along with providing scholarship opportunities, our program also surrounds each participant with young women like herself: motivated leaders and high achievers who are looking toward college and beyond, providing a positive community where girls can make friends, have a sense of belonging and be inspired.”
The Distinguished Young Women program is so much more than just a competition.
Finch added: “We prepare these young women in a number of different ways. We first emphasize education, providing scholarship opportunities to these outstanding, college-bound young women. We also encourage personal development in our participants through our life skills workshops (public speaking, interview, etc.) and the Be Your Best Self program.”
The program has a rich history of supporting ambitious young women. The oldest and largest scholarship program for young women in the United States, it began in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, the home to its current national program. For decades, many talented young women like Valerie Noria have competed in this program and have shown off their talents and accomplishments.
Noria has spent her high school years committed to being involved in her community both at school and at large. She is involved in a multitude of activities such as Campus Ministry, Assiteens of Irvine, and the STEM Distinction program.
When asked which act of community service has been the most impactful in her life she shared, “My time at the Farm and Food Lab, where we harvest food and help tend to the farm there, has been the most fulfilling because all that food gets donated to local pantries and helps people with food insecurity. I think that connects with me because food is so important to being healthy and it warms my heart to know I can help other families with providing that opportunity.”
Along with God, Noria named her parents as her main support system.
“My parents and my relationships with God motivate me in all that I do,” she said. “I feel so blessed and so privileged to be where I am in my life, my parents have provided me with so many opportunities and my faith helps shape who I am. I also feel that my school community has been supporting and encouraging me through this whole process.”
Noria’s faith has played an undeniable role in all of her achievements. Her relationship with God has allowed her to open up and serve the community on a larger scale.
“The Catholic Church teaches us to serve others with the skills God has provided,” Noria said.
Support from her high school also helped Valerie tremendously when navigating competing in the Distinguished Young Women program.
Scott Melvin, vice president of School Relations at Mater Dei, shared: “We firmly believe that the students at Mater Dei are the best of the best and we are proud of the beauty and love they bring to this world. We are grateful for the Distinguished Young Women program as it provides the stage where we can celebrate in a meaningful and powerful way this beauty and love.”
First introduced to The Distinguished Young Women program by her mom, Noria set out to compete in this at-large program in order to represent her hometown Irvine.
She said Irvine has given her the ability to involve herself in many community-centered activities.
“I think it was a really good opportunity and I was really happy to represent Irvine because Irvine has given me a lot of opportunities.”
Being able to participate in the Distinguished Young Women program has also given Noria the opportunity to act as a role model to many young girls.
Passing on advice to other young girls who aspire to accomplish achievements similar to hers, Noria expressed, “My advice to other girls is to really put yourself out there because opportunities won’t just show up at your doorstep–you need to put yourself out there and make those connections.”
Throughout her high school journey, Noria has accomplished many of her goals and has been able to showcase her talents through the existence of the Distinguished Young Women program. There is no doubt she is a proficient young woman whose grounded faith will guide her through her college years and beyond.