POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED Distinguished Service Mobile employee has longtime connection to DYW E Photos by Dan Anderson APSO's Gene Arnold, left, and David Kominek with 2012 Distinguished Young Woman Christina Maxwell. ric Patterson was readying to coach his sons' baseball team when his wife informed him they were going to be a host family for a national scholarship program. Twentythree years later, Patterson still recalls his apprehension. "At first I told her we couldn't do it. But of course, I lost," said Patterson, Customer Service manager for Mobile Division. "I had two young boys and no experience with girls, but now it's crazy to think my boys have big sisters across the country." The scholarship program was America's Junior Miss, Texas' Distinguished Young Woman Anna Hiran shares a laugh with which changed its name Ben Patterson at the USS Alabama APSO cookout. to Distinguished Young Women (DYW) in 2010. The these incredible young ladies from all over the country organization founded in 1958 in Mobile is the largest to come to universities in the state through this and oldest national scholarship program for collegeprogram." bound girls. DYW strives to promote scholarship, Patterson said Mobile's yearly hosting duty plays leadership and talent, inspiring girls to reach for a vital part in the organization's benefits. "I have greatness and showcasing their accomplishments. received countless thank you notes and letters from Ever since his family's first experience hosting girls representatives' parents telling me that not only did for the two weeks before the program, Patterson said their daughters develop their minds, personalities and he has been hooked on DYW. talents," he said, "but they also were blown away "It's amazing to think how after such a short amount by the whole Southern experience, telling me 'We've of time you can get so attached to these outstanding heard about this thing called Southern hospitality, but young ladies," Patterson said. "These are extremely you don't believe it until you've been here.'" bright and gifted girls, and it's neat to see the impact it The DYW representatives from each state arrive in has on them year after year." Mobile two weeks before the program, immersing Patterson's initial role in the DTW program evolved themselves in Southern culture and visiting sites in 1996 when he was asked to be a member of the such as Dauphin Island, Bellingrath Gardens and organization's board of directors. Since then, he has the Mardi Gras Museum. In the service spirit of the held numerous positions and served two terms as organization, the young women mentor Girl Scouts, president. work with the Junior League of Mobile, volunteer "The reason why I've stayed with it for so many at the Bay Area Community Food Bank, spend the years is because I believe in the program and its values day with residents of Mulherin Custodial Home and and what it stands for," he said. "Secondly, I believe prepare meals for people at the Ronald McDonald it is a great opportunity for Mobile, the state and the House. Alabama Power Foundation." Alabama Power Service Organization volunteers It was through Patterson's strong involvement that take part in the festivities by grilling out at the USS the Alabama Power Foundation became a national Alabama, where the participants and their host sponsor. This sponsorship not only benefits DYW, but families dine and dance. also the foundation. Patterson earns praise for his long involvement with "This is the perfect kind of program for APC and DYW. the foundation to sponsor," said Beth Thomas, "Eric has worked tirelessly with DYW much of his Corporate Communications manager for Mobile career," Thomas said. "He has invested more than Division. "It gives us an opportunity to shine a 20 years working with this program. That kind of positive light on our state, while also making a lasting commitment is very special." impact on these girls." The 56th Annual Distinguished Young Women Patterson now serves as the president of the Finals was June 27-29 at the Mobile Civic Center. DYW Foundation board, which receives, holds and administers funds for all DYW scholarship programs. By Katie Kilcoyne He credits the scholarship aspect for his ongoing advocacy for the organization. "DYW has awarded more than $100 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels since the program's inception," Patterson said. "In addition, numerous college-granted scholarships are available each year to state and national winners. There are a surprising number of participants who end up coming back to Alabama for college, so we are able to recruit PAGE 5

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