Maggie Rowell, Escambia County’s Distinguished Young Woman for 2017, has packed her bags and is ready to take the stage in the state competition later this month.

Rowell, a T.R. Miller senior and the daughter of Michael and Dana Rowell, leaves Friday to begin her state experience. She was chosen in July and has been hard at work preparing for the Jan. 20 and 21 competition, which will be held at Frazer Methodist Church in Montgomery. In the days leading up to the competition, Rowell will welcomed by her host family, Larry and Kathy Schoudel, and will roommate with Calhoun County’s DYW Brittany Lee.

This will be the 60th Distinguished Young Women of Alabama program where participants vie for $41,000 in cash scholarships and over $2 Million in college granted scholarships, and the opportunity to represent the State as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama for 2017.

The 49 young women competing will be evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories:  scholastics (25 percent), interview (25 percent), fitness (15 percent), self-expression (15 percent), and talent (20 percent).  The participant selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama will advance to the National level at the 60th Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile on June 29 through July 1, where she will join with 49 other state representatives in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.   

Show times and ticket prices are as follows:

• Fri., Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m.: $17;

• Sat., Jan. 21, 1:30 p.m.: $17;

• Sat., Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: $30; or

• Weekend pass: $55.

To purchase, email AlabamaDYWtickets@gmails.com.