More often than not, there is something satisfying about being first, whether it be first in line, first place or first string.
Madison Leonard of the Hayden Lake 1st Ward, Hayden Lake Idaho Stake, is now a part of history as the first winner of the newly renamed Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program (formerly America's Junior Miss).
She is also the first Idahoan to claim the title, which she won at the national finals June 26 in Mobile, Ala.
Madison said she was excited and honored to represent the program under its new name.
"This is going to be a really big changing year for the program," she said in a telephone interview. "I hope to express and share what it's about, especially for young women who would not have considered it under the former name."
The name change and other program updates are meant to better reflect the organization and keep the program relevant, according to a Distinguished Young Women news release.
Being the first young woman from Idaho to win the award, which includes more than $50,000 in scholarships and a gold medallion, is also a source of pride for Madison.
"Idaho has had a strong program," she said. "I'm glad I can shine a light on Idaho so others can see it's active in the program."
Madison said the things she learned by being active in the Church and the Young Women program helped give her the self-confidence she needed to be named Distinguished Young Woman of America.
"There are so many crossing points between Distinguished Young Women and the Church's Young Women program," she said, adding that three other top 10 finalists were also members of the Church: Meredith Gaufin of Utah, Paige Wagner of California and Mattie Bergeson of Washington. Another state winner, Arianne Leavitt of Arizona, is also a member of the Church.
One of those crossing points, she said, is Distinguished Young Women's national outreach program, titled "Be Your Best Self." According to the organization, the program emphasizes five elements: be healthy, be involved, be studious, be ambitious and be responsible.
Madison says her primary goal as the program's winner is simply to get that message out.
"I sometimes call the program my little secret, because so many others don't know about it," she said.
Having graduated as salutatorian from Coeur d'Alene High School, Madison was accepted into the music program at Pepperdine University near Malibu, Calif., where she will begin in the fall. She will also study journalism.
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