Southwestern Central School's Veronica
Schuver said that she feels like she knows who
she is now thanks to the
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Distinguished Young
Women program. After
becoming the winner of the 2012-13 Distinguished
Young Women of
the Lakewood Area competition,
Schuver participated at
the statelevel competition
held in Albany to
place first runner-up
Saturday.
According to Christine
Yocum, cochairwoman, the state-level competition is similar in
nature to the local one. So, Schuver was
judged on an interview, academics, talent,
self-expression and fitness.
"She was a perfect fit, and she represented
our community beautifully," said
Yocum. "She had everything that the
state was looking for."
Schuver, who is a native of Lakewood,
traveled to Albany on Feb. 19 to prepare
for the show at the performing arts center
at University of Albany.
"It was a lot of fun. All the girls were
super nice and the chair people really had
it together-I have nothing negative to
say about it," said Schuver. "The theme
of the program was 'Time,' so they had
clocks on the set, and it was a really
beautiful place to perform."
For the talent section of
the competition Schuver
did a piano performance of
Frederic Chopin's "Nocturne"
in E-flat major. For
self-expression each competitor
was asked the same
question: "If you could go
backward or forward in
time, which would you
choose and why?"
"I chose that I would prefer
to go back in time and I
gave the explanation that to
me it's important to meet
your ancestors," said Schuver.
"An important part of
defining who you are
comes from who your family
is. So, I would love to
meet members of my family
that I never had the
opportunity to meet. I also
discussed how I wouldn't
want to travel to the future
because I feel that knowing
where I ended up in life
would discourage me from
taking my own path in life
- I think you should let
life take you where it may."
The Lakewood area competition
showcased the talents
of 15 regional high
school seniors from seven
different high schools -
Jamestown, Southwestern,
Frewsburg, Maple Grove,
Randolph, Chautauqua
Lake and Falconer. Each
young woman who placed
in a category received
scholarship money to go
toward her college education.
Schuver won $3,375
at the Lakewood area competition.
At the state level, representatives
such as Schuver
competed for a share of
more than $130,000 in
cash scholarships. Brittany
Egnot, of Albany, placed
first and Schuver placed
second. Schuver has not
yet been informed as to
how much she was awarded
for placing first runnerup.
But, she took home a
lot more than money, she
said.
"The program has helped
define who I am," said
Schuver. "I have found
confidence in it, and I think
I've improved my interview
skills a lot. It also helps to
find girls who have similar
interests and values to you
- girls who have busy
lifestyles, that are involved
in a lot of things and are
talented. It's great to meet
them and share experiences."
With the scholarship
money that Schuver won
from both competitions she
hopes to attend Allegheny
College in Meadville, Pa.,
to pursue math or business.
She is currently a senior at
Southwestern Central
School, and is playing clarinet
in the school's musical
"Bye Bye Birdie."
Schuver's parents are
Bill and DeeDee Schuver,
of Lakewood. Schuver said
that they've been incredibly
loving and supportive
throughout the experience.
Although placing first
runner-up did not earn her a
spot in the national program,
Distinguished Young
Women of America, Schuver
said that she feels participating
has given her
skills that she will be able
to use in her future life and
career. She'll also participate
in next year's Lakewood
area program to help
emcee, write a speech and
present herself on stage one
last time as a Distinguished
Young Woman of Lakewood.
For more information on
the program visit ajm.org.