When Picayune Memorial High School senior Brooke Warden was in elementary school, she was inspired to reach her potential during an assembly that featured the Pearl River County Distinguished Young Woman. Now, Warden is the recipient of the same award and has visited local elementary schools to spread the message that changed her life. Those schools include Nicholson Elementary, West Side Elementary and St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. On Thursday, she visited Pearl River Central Upper Elementary.
“I want the kids to know that they should strive to be their best self,” Warden said. “I hope they remember what we talk about, like I did, and work every day to better themselves.”
The Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program that encourages high school girls from across the nation to utilize their potential through a transformative experience. To be honored with the Distinguished Young Women scholarship, each candidate is evaluated in five separate categories, including scholastics, an interview, talent, fitness and self-expression, Warden said.
Although being named as a Distinguished Young Woman will help Warden afford college expenses, that was not why she competed.
“This message really drove me to become the best me I could possibly be. I have experienced how big of an impact it can have on someone’s life. I want to keep passing this message to all children like it was passed down to me,” Warden said.
Her presentation focused on what she calls the “5 Be’s,” which are to be healthy, be studious, be involved, be ambitious and be responsible.
Throughout the presentation, the children engaged Warden by asking questions about her presentation and about the future.
“I had one child ask me, ‘Is high school hard?’ And it took me by surprise for a moment,” Warden said. “I told the child, ‘Yes, but with the right preparation, it can become easier.’ These kids are smart and are already looking forward in their lives, which is a great sign for success.”
The Distinguished Young Women program strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future, according to its mission statement, which is something Warden feels she has shared with the children in her audiences.
“If I can inspire just one girl to work hard at developing her full potential, then I have accomplished what I set out to do when I was their age,” Warden said.