Bountiful, Utah teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Utah

Statewide scholarship program awarded $30,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (January 24, 2012) - On January 21, Kaitlin Paxton of Bountiful, Utah was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Utah and awarded more than $6,000 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Juan Diego High School in Draper, Utah.

Paxton was one of 28 high school senior girls from Utah who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Utah for 2012. Other award recipients included: Mendy Peacock of Spanish Fork (1st Runner-up), Daun Kwag of Logan (2nd Runner-up), Laura Boyer of Centreville (3rd Runner-up) and Megan Taylor of Cedar City (4th Runner-up). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Paxton will represent Utah 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.

Paxton is the daughter of Michelle and Bob Paxton and is a senior at Woods Cross High School. Paxton’s achievements include: Winner, Woods Cross HS Sterling Dance Scholar; Outstanding Student; Top 10% ranking in Utah in English on ACT PLAN; Background Dancer - High School Musical 3; Published poem (2009); Winner of School Spirit Award; Performed & recorded CD Honors Piano Recital; Winner of cheer and dance scholarships; Recognition for work at Cancer Wellness House; Ballet West Nutcracker. In addition, Paxton’s activities include: President of WX Dance Company; Varsity Cheerleader; Cheer Captain; Psychology Bowl Team 2011; Cheer and Dance Company officer positions; National Honor Society; Lessons: Dance, Piano; Clubs: PTSA, Chemistry, Biology, Service, Science; Math Peer Tutor, Key Club, Link Crew; Piano Accompanist for school, church & community.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Paxton 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 Utah, please contact Julie Harris at 801-347-6556 Utah@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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