Birmingham, Ala. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $38,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (January 24, 2012) - On January 21, Scarlett Walker of Birmingham, Ala. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama and awarded $11,200 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Frazer United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Ala.
 
Walker was one of 51 high school senior girls from Alabama who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama for 2012. Other award recipients included: Megan Smith of Hartselle (1st Runner-up, Scholastics Award, Interview Award, Self-Expression Award) and Ansley Rosson of Mobile (2nd Runner-up, Interview Award, Fitness Award, Be Your Best Self Essay Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Walker will represent Alabama at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

Walker is the daughter of Angela and Michael Walker and is a senior at Oak Mountain High School. Walker’s achievements include: VP Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes; National Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; French Honor Society; Scholarship to the EDGE Performing Arts Center; Resolution from Representatives Ward and Drake; Scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School; Invitation to the NYCDA summer program; Tremaine Dance Full-Year Tuition Scholarship; "Golden Rule" Award. In addition, Walker’s activities include: Spokesperson for the Austism Society of Alabama; Led the Pledge at the State House of Reps.; Wilson Chapel United Methodist Youth Group; Student at Briarwood Ballet; American Ballet Theater Summer Intensive; President of the OMHS "Con Brio" Showchoir; Collect Playbills; Voice Lessons; OMHS Talent Show; PALS.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Walker will travel to Mobile, Alabama along with 49 other state representatives to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships. Tennessee’s Katye Brock, who is attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, won the 2011 overall award.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Alabama, please contact Carna Triftshauser at 334-272-6734 Alabama@DistinguishedYW.org.

About Distinguished Young Women
Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 54 years of operation, the program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women. Last year Distinguished Young Women provided more than $108 million in cash and college scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national levels. Previously known as America’s Junior Miss, the program announced its new name in June 2010.

The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent. National sponsors include the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Eastern Shore Toyota, Encore Rehabilitation, Mobile Gas: A Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation, Regions Bank and Master Boat Builders.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Stephanie Bradford, National Headquarters Communications Director (251-622-5335, Stephanie@DistinguishedYW.org) or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.

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