Statewide scholarship program awarded $7,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (April 4, 2012) – On March 24, Deven Inch of Anchorage, Alaska was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska and awarded $2,500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Ketchikan High School in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Inch was one of 11 high school senior girls from Alaska who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska for 2012. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%). Throughout the next year, Inch will represent Alaska 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.

Inch is the daughter of Shane and Teri Inch and is a senior at East Anchorage High School. Inch’s achievements include: Outstanding Performance Award (Solo and Ensemble); 2nd Place, State Track & Field (300 Meter Hurdles); Excellence at East Award; Coaches’ Award (Cross Country Running); Certificate of Merit (GPA higher then 3.5); Best All-Around Track and Field Athlete; Varsity Letter (Track & Field, Swimming & Diving); Academic Letter (Silver, Gold); Superior Ratings (Solo and Ensemble); Band Varsity Letter. In addition, Inch’s activities include: East Anchorage High School Band (1st chair); Anchorage Youth Symphony (2nd Chair); Track and Field (Varsity); Tri-M Honor Music Group (President); Band Council (President, Secretary); Jazz Band; School With-in a School; Art Show Cafe (Coordinator, MC); American Sign Language Club; Cross Country Running (Captain, Junior Varsity).

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Ala. Inch will travel to Mobile, Ala. 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 Alaska, please contact Robert McClory at 907-225-1477 Robert.McClory@kgbsd.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, SPANX, 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 visitwww.DistinguishedYW.org. ??Find us on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/distinguishedyw?

www.twitter.com/distinguishedyw

Source: Distinguished Young Women of Alaska