Gravel Switch, Ky. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $25,000 in cash scholarships to participants   

Mobile, Ala. (January 20, 2012) - On January 14, Paige Wilson of Gravel Switch, Ky. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky and awarded $6,400 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Singletary Center on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky.
 
Wilson was one of 32 high school senior girls from Kentucky who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky for 2012. Other award recipients included: MacKenzie Wyatt of Mount Sterling (1st Runner-up, Overall Scholastics Award, Overall Self-Expression Award, Preliminary Talent Award) and Madison Oxley of Versailles (2nd Runner-up, Preliminary Fitness Award, Preliminary Scholastics Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Wilson will represent Kentucky 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.

Wilson is the daughter of Diane and Eric Wilson and is a senior at Marion County High School. Wilson’s achievements include: All-State Concert Band, 4th Chair Flute; 2011 Governor's Scholar; 2010 KY All-State Flute Competition, 1st Place; Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship; Squires Academy Science Award; All-State Concert Band, 18th Chair Flute; All-District Symphonic Band, 3rd Chair Flute; Most Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore; Academic Team State Finalist; Work Ethic Seal. In addition, Wilson’s activities include: Marion County Marching Knight Band; Marion County Concert Band; Marion County Pep Band; Marion County Girls Tennis Team; Lebanon Baptist Church & Youth Group; Marion County Academic Team; Marion County Teen Leadership; Pep Club; Lebanon Baptist Youth Choir.


The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Wilson 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 Kentucky, please contact Buddy Hoskinson at 859-576-3474 Kentucky@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.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter:
www.facebook.com/distinguishedyw  
www.twitter.com/distinguishedyw