Laramie, Wyo. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming

Statewide scholarship program awarded cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (April 20, 2012) - On April 14, Ana Villasenor of Laramie, Wyo. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming and awarded $500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Laramie High School in Laramie, Wyo.

Villasenor was one of 4 high school senior girls from Wyoming who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming 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, Villasenor will represent Wyoming 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.

Villasenor is the daughter of Maria and Ponciano Villasenor and is a senior at Laramie High School. Villasenor’s achievements include: Distinguished Young Woman of Albany County for 2012; Hathaway Performance Scholarship Recipient; Honor Roll; National Honors Society Nomination; Wyoming All-State Dancer; Violet Richardson Award Scholarship; Wyoming All-State Choir participant; Educational Excellence. In addition, Villasenor’s activities include: Laramie High School Dance Team; National Honors Society; LHS Plainsmen Singer; LHS Concert Choir member; LHS Spanish Honors Society; Fusion Youth Group; Laramie Choice; LHS Pep Club.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Ala. Villasenor 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 Wyoming, please contact Maryalice Gulino at mgulino@co.albany.yw.us.

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 visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.

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