A Chandler resident, who’s a recent Hamilton High School graduate, is in Alabama this week, competing for a national award.

Audrey Zhang is set to compete in the 67th Distinguished Young Women National Finals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 27, 28, and 29, at the Mobile Civic Center Theater in Mobile, Ala.

Zhang is one of 50 representatives competing for more than a collective $150,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2024.

Following her selection as the Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona, Zhang began preparations for the national finals, which will include five categories of evaluation: scholastics, interview, fitness, talent, and self-expression.

The overall multi-phase process in Mobile is spread out over two weeks, with Zhang and others participating in team-building activities, completing community service projects, interacting with the Gulf Coast community through various events and engaging in many hours of rehearsal in preparation for the three-night scholarship program.

If selected as the program’s overall winner, Zhang will spend the next year representing Distinguished Young Women across the U.S. through various appearances and promoting the program’s national outreach initiative of Be Your Best Self.

The outreach program is designed to combat major issues facing children today including childhood obesity and high school dropout rates, as well as encourage young people to take an active interest in their communities through service.

The program consists of five elements: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

Zhang, the daughter of Yushi Xiao and Rui Zhang, is hoping to succeed 2023 Distinguished Young Woman Of America Carrington Hodge. The Alabama product and Vanderbilt University student took home $45,000 in total scholarships.

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