The road to success looks pretty bright for 17-year-old Tiffany Brooks, the Bay View Academy senior and honor student, who was recently named Distinguished Young Woman of RI, 2017. She is the first …
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The road to success looks pretty bright for 17-year-old Tiffany Brooks, the Bay View Academy senior and honor student, who was recently named Distinguished Young Woman of RI, 2017. She is the first woman from Bristol to be so honored.
The competition, which took place Jan. 15 at Assembly Theatre in Harrisville, included seven of the brightest young high school students in the state. Distinguished Young Women of Rhode Island is an official state preliminary of Distinguished Young Women, a national scholarship program that “promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women.”
Tiffany Brooks, the daughter of Jamie Brooks of Lea Drive, competed in several categories, including scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression. Interview and talent each accounted for 25 percent of the overall score.
“I felt pretty confident that I’d do well in the competition,” she said. “All the girls were absolutely amazing. I would have been happy if any of the girls won.”
Accompanied by her family, Tiffany sparkled during the program, especially during the talent portion, showcasing her exceptional singing ability. She is also an actor and competitive dancer with Rosemary’s School of Dance in Warren.
“I was in awe to watch her take command of the stage,” said Tiffany’s mom. “When singing her talent number, the emotion she puts into it at 17 years old was moving. Her confidence in self-expression and answering the question of what ignites her passion for life was overwhelming as a parent. At 17, Tiffany has such stage presence, it's amazing to watch. Winning this scholarship competition is something she's been preparing for, so it is always wonderful when you can reinforce the message that hard work pays off.”
By winning the 2017 competition, Tiffany will join 49 other state representatives for the 57th annual Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Ala., June 29 to July 1. She will spend two weeks getting to know young women from across the country, engaging in community service and team development activities, and preparing for the national finals competition. All state representatives will compete for a share of more than $100,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the national program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.
While this will be the first time Tiffany will be competing in a national scholarship competition, she is no stranger to these types of events. In 2015, she finished first runner-up in the Miss Rhode Island Outstanding Teen competition, and last year, she was first runner-up in the Bristol Miss Fourth of July Contest.
The pageant will be a cap on Tiffany’s high school career. She has her sights set on even greater things after she graduates from Bay View on June 5, having applied to Boston College, Connecticut College and Wellesley College. She plans to major in neuroscience and psychology.
“I’m nervous but excited at the same time,” she said of the competition. “I know it will be a great experience.”