Mobile teen representing Alabama in Distinguished Young Women National Finals

MOBILE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A Mobile teenager will represent Alabama in the 67th Distinguished Young Women National Finals next week.

According to a DYW news release, the national finals will take place from June 27 through June 29 at the Mobile Civic Center.

DeAsia Jones is one of 50 representatives competing for $155,000 in cash scholarships and to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2024.

Jones was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama and began preparing for five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression.

She is a 2024 graduate of Faith Academy, and she is the daughter of Tiffany and Leroy Jones.

She arrived Tuesday night in Mobile, where the competition is being held, with all 50 representatives. They will be in Mobile for two weeks.

During that time, Jones will participate in team-building activities, community service projects, interact with the Gulf Coast community and prepare for the three-night scholarship program through several hours of rehearsal.

“We are excited to welcome the 50 outstanding state representatives to Mobile for the 67th annual National Finals of Distinguished Young Women,” Distinguished Young Women Executive Director Carole Hegwood said. “These young women are accomplished, talented, intelligent, and have exciting futures ahead of them.”

The winner of Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2024 will spend the next year traveling the country to promote the program’s initiative to “Be Your Best Self.”

The outreach program combats issues such as childhood obesity, high school dropout rates and encourages more people to volunteer in their communities.

“The outreach program consists of five elements – Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible,” a news release from Distinguished Young Women said.

Jones will be looking to be the second Alabamian in a row to win the award after Carrington Hodge became the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2024.

“Definitely an overwhelming but joyful sense of emotions,” Jones told News 5 . “I’m so excited to be here in my hometown representing not only Mobile but also Alabama and hopefully bringing home the title for the second year in a row.”

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