POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED When Alaska's Maire Nakada was named Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of America 2015, she probably didn't realize her pathway to that honor was in part paved by Alabama Power, its employees and volunteers. New DYW Executive Director Pam Patterson and her husband were first a host family for contestants 25 years ago and have through the decades become more and more involved in the annual event. Mobile Division Customer Service Manager Eric Patterson is president of the DYW Foundation board, which oversees the scholarship program, and is a past president of the board of directors. Because of their ever-expanding roles, a couple of years ago they had to give up hosting the young women in their home. People such as the Pattersons are integral to the longtime success of DYW. They are among 50 individuals and businesses forming a special group that donates to the representatives of each state to make sure the visit to Alabama is a memorable experience that doesn't become a financial burden. Many people use their own time or volunteer through groups like the Alabama Power Service Organization to help the associated events run smoothly during two weeks of practices and preliminaries leading to the announcement of the winner. Mobile Division employees for more than a decade have helped stage a popular cookout beside the USS Alabama. Each year, Saraland Local Accounting Manager Jeff Schmitz, Mobile Business Office Supervisor Chris Benton and Hillcrest Customer Service Inspectors Gene Arnold and David Kominek spend hours preparing and cooking hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken breasts for the contestants and their host family members. A veteran educator, Pam Patterson volunteered in many different roles before moving up to national finals chairwoman for eight years, then taking the DYW's top position last year. She said her family's work with the young women and organization has been a blessing. "This is such a rewarding experience for everyone involved," said the Birmingham native. "It has a major impact on lives across our country." DYW has an economic impact in Mobile of at least $2 million annually, money that keeps growing and circulating throughout the state through the scholarships. Nearly 40 former contestants are attending colleges and universities in Alabama, pumping about $300,000 into Mobile-area institutions of higher learning and about $750,000 into schools statewide, which doesn't take into account all of the expenses related to the students attending college. Scholarship funding comes primarily from donations by companies and governmental bodies. The Alabama Power Foundation began its support two decades ago and then in 2011 moved up to being a national sponsor. "The Alabama Power Foundation has been instrumental in the success of Distinguished Young Women for 20-plus years," Patterson said. Formerly known as America's Junior Miss, the name change in 2010 highlights the leadership and talent of the contestants who inspire other girls to reach for greatness and showcase their own special accomplishments. DYW has awarded about $110 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels since 1958. "This program has a rich history of putting a spotlight not only on the remarkable young women who represent their states, but also on Mobile and our state," said Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell. "Alabama Power is to be commended for its sponsorship in boosting the educational opportunities for these exceptional leaders of tomorrow." In addition to being the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls, DYW is one of Alabama's premier events, ruling the roost in Mobile alongside the Senior Bowl and GoDaddy Bowl. "We are the only organization in Mobile that can guarantee someone from every state in the United States will be attending an event," Patterson said. "We're pretty proud of that fact." The young women leave Mobile each year stronger, supported by the five tenets the organization encourages them to follow: Be healthy, ambitious, involved, responsible and studious. "One of the things we try to do is impact lives across the country," Patterson said. "We're not just affecting the lives of the girls who participate, but the impact is multiplied a 1,000 times over in the lives they touch through their participation in the various activities supported by Distinguished Young Women." By Chuck Chandler 5 Distinguished Service EMPLOYEES, FOUNDATION HAVE LONG HISTORY AIDING YOUNG WOMEN All 50 DYW state representatives gathered at the USS Alabama. Photo courtesy of DYW

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