LACIE SILVA
Editor
Julien Bynum, a senior at South Pittsburg High School, has made history as the first representative from Marion County to be named the Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee for the Class of 2025.
On July 22, Bynum was awarded the title and $5,000 in cash scholarships during the Tennessee State scholarship program for high school girls held at Lee University in Cleveland.
The Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) program, formerly known as America’s Junior Miss, is the oldest and largest national scholarship program in the country, having begun in 1958. Its mission is to empower young women to reach their full potential by providing scholarships, personal development opportunities, and a positive peer network. Participants in the program compete in various categories, including Interview, Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, and Self-Expression.
During the week of July 19 and 20, Bynum, along with 15 other high school senior girls from TN, participated in individual interviews and live performances, with Scholastics being scored based on high school transcripts submitted prior to the competition. Bynum’s success in these categories earned her the prestigious title.
As the Distinguished Young Woman of Tennessee, Bynum will represent the state at various public events over the next year, serving as a role model to young people and promoting the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” This message encourages self-esteem and excellence in young people through its five guiding principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.
Expressing her gratitude, Bynum said, “I am so honored to be the first winner from Marion County and I am also so thankful for all the Marion County state representatives who came before me that paved the way. If it were not for all of the people throughout my life who encouraged me to be a part of the Distinguished Young Women Program, of which many participated in the State program themselves, I would have never known about this amazing opportunity or I may have not had the courage to try it. I am also overwhelmed with emotions from the outpouring of love from our entire community. I would like to thank everyone for their support. It means so much!”
Since receiving the title, Bynum has been recognized at the Marion County Board of Education meeting on August 12 and the Marion County Commission meeting on August 26. She was presented with an appreciation plaque at the BOE meeting and honored with a proclamation plaque at the MCC meeting for her hard work and success in representing Marion County and the state of TN.
For more information about the Distinguished Young Women program, contact Carly Bragg, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Carly@DistinguishedYW.org, or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.
