Participants

Distinguished Young Women participants come from all walks of life, but they have one common characteristic: the desire to succeed. Each young woman receives valuable life experience through participation in the program including relationship skills, self-confidence, and a sense of achievement. The goal of Distinguished Young Women is to ensure that everyone who participates in the program at any level has an enjoyable and memorable experience.

While we await the first of the participants, below is a list of last year's participants for Distinguished Young Women of Massachusetts. Want to participate? Apply now!



Danielle Habrat

Distinguished Young Woman of Agawam

Parents: Guy & Sherrie Habrat
College Preference: Endicott College
Career Goals: Pediatric Oncology Nurse
Talent: Muscial Theater Tap Dance (My New Philosophy from Goodman Charlie Brown, by Choreographed by Karen McMahon)

Melissa Mandia

Distinguished Young Woman of Franklin

Parents: Gary & Laura Mandia
College Preference: Providence College for American Studies or History
Career Goals: becoming a high school history teacher
Talent: Musical theater presentation (I Want to be a Rockette, by Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Tom Eyen)

Shaelyn Casey

Distinguished Young Woman of Greater Bridgewater

Parents: John & Amy Casey
College Preference: Muhlenberg College
Career Goals: High School chemistry teacher, dance teacher
Talent: Tap Dance (A Little Less Conversation by Tonic Sol-fa, by Self-Choreographed)

Rachel Connell

Distinguished Young Woman of Greater Easthampton

Parents: James & Donna Connell
College Preference: I want to attend college for nursing.
Career Goals: Nursing, pediatric nursing
Talent: Vocal Presentation (Part of Your World, by Howard Ashman)

Siobhan McDonough

Distinguished Young Woman of Hamilton

Parents: Sean & Ariana McDonough
College Preference: Harvard, Stanford
Career Goals: Economics and International Relations
Talent: Flute Solo (Concertino, by Cecile Chaminade)

Brittany Churchill

Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts

Parents: Mark & Sandra Churchill
College Preference: Bridgewater State University
Career Goals: musical therapy or education
Talent: Vocal Presentation (opera) (Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera, by Andrew Lloyd Webber)

Julia Newman

Distinguished Young Woman of Nantucket

Parents: Robert & Jody Newman
College Preference: Syracuse/ University of Colorado Boulder
Career Goals: Communications
Talent: Piano and Singing (People Help the People, by Birdy)

Jessica Lunde

Distinguished Young Woman of Wakefield

Parents: Philip & Virginia Lunde
College Preference: University of New Hampshire
Career Goals: Child Psychology
Talent: Tap dance (Black Betty)

McKenna May

Distinguished Young Woman of Wrentham

Parents: Scott & Holly May
College Preference: Elon Unviersity
Career Goals: Arts Administration- BFA in dance, business major
Talent: Dance- Ballet Contemporary on Pointe (Attack, by Cheryl Maddeux-Abbott)