DYW co-chairs say thanks

Another year is in the books for the Distinguished Young Woman of Taylor County program.

This year, as always, we were committed to providing a showcase for some of the communities most outstanding young women and support them with the opportunity to present their achievements and talents for scholarship opportunities.

The Class of 2014 offered 12 of our community's most exceptional girls, competing for more than $9,000 in cash scholarships and more than $70,000 in college offered scholarships.

Taylor County has a longstanding reputation in the state as one of the top local programs. In its 56-year history, our program has provided more than $500,000 in scholarship money to help the young women of Taylor County pay for their college education. This would not be possible without all the support, donations and sponsorships Distinguished Young Women of Taylor County receives from all its supporters.

Some of this year's supporters and contributors include Rotary Club, sponsor of the Be Your Best Self award; Taylor Regional Hospital, sponsor of fitness award; Taylor County Bank, Citizens Bank and Trust Co., Amazon.com, United Citizens Bank, Wise Dentistry for Kids, Classic Kitchens of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University, Taylor County Public Library, MMUS, Kentucky, H&W Sport Shop, McMahan Land Co., David Newton/Lee's Famous Recipe, The Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club Green River Veterinary, Mary Ann Hallmark, Annette's, Magnolia Alley, Merle Norman, Creek Side Restaurant, Lowell Avenue Baptist Church, Campbellsville Baptist Church, Campbellsville Christian Church, Bertram, Cox and Miller and many more contributors.

Each year, many Taylor County residents volunteer their time and resources to help make our program special. The generosity of the people who believe in this program is wonderful.

This year, Campbellsville Independent Schools and its faculty helped us at every turn and, of course, Taylor County Schools were supportive and generous of our efforts as a scholarship program.

There are so many people who spent countless hours making our program not only work, but be the best. We would not be successful co-chairpersons without the volunteers and contributors. Thank you for your time and efforts.

This year, a panel of five program judges and three academic judges chose Katelyn McMahan as the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Taylor County. We are very excited to support her efforts at the state program in January. We know she will be an outstanding representative of our great community!

To Becca, Alexa, Chelsea, Shelby, Sienna, Hayley, Kori, Emily, Zoe, Miranda and Mollie, it was amazing to watch all of you "Be Your Best Self."

Each of you have been a blessing to all of us this year. We hope this summer has been a positive experience for you. In our eyes, you are all truly Distinguished Young Women!

Susan R. Dabney

Angie Russell

Distinguished Young Women of Taylor County

Co-Chairpersons

Campbellsville