The Junior League of Dallas, along with presenting sponsor the Ryan Foundation, will award $40,000 in scholarships to 10 college-bound women at their tenth annual Women LEAD speech competition and awards ceremony.

Women LEAD (Learn. Excel. Achieve. Dream) scholarship program was created in 2013 by the Junior League of Dallas. Its mission is to enable female high school students to pursue their dreams of higher education. Since then, the League has awarded 62 collegiate scholarships totaling over $305,000 to female seniors at Emmett J. Conrad, Thomas Jefferson, and South Oak Cliff High Schools.

In the oratory portion of the evening, each of the 10 finalists will give a speech on what makes a strong leader and what leadership qualities they would like to demonstrate in their own lives.

The judging panel will determine winners based on the speech presentation and the student’s scholarship application. This year’s judges include JLD President  Emily Somerville-Cabrera; Amy Kendrick Lee of Ryan LLC and The Ryan Foundation; and Dallas County Promise and DISD Board of Trustees Member Karla Garcia;  Former TV reporter and JLD Sustainer Calvert Collins will emcee the event.

All winners will receive a one-time scholarship from JID. The first place winner will receive a $15,000 award, the second place will receive a $10,000 award, the third place will receive a $5,000 award, the fourth place winner will receive a $3,000 prize, the fifth place winner will receive a $2,000 award and sixth through tenth place winners will each receive a one-time $1,000 award.

The tenth annual Women LEAD  speech competition and awards ceremony will take place on March 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Junior League of Dallas Headquarters at 8003 Inwood Road.