Cerritos, Calif. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of California

Statewide scholarship program awarded $40,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (August 1, 2011) - On July 30, Hannah Joo of Cerritos, Calif. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of California and awarded $16,000 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Harvey Auditorium in Bakersfield, Calif.

Joo was one of 40 high school senior girls from California who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of California for 2012. Other award recipients included: Nicole Feng of Temple City (1st Alternate, Scholastics Award, Fitness Award); Emily Gordon of Santa Barbara (2nd Alternate, Self-Expression Award); Makiyah Ruggieri-Vessey of Modesto (3rd Alternate, Talent Award); and Olivia Wong of La Quinta (4th Alternate, Scholastics Award, Talent Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

“The most rewarding part of this program is the spirit of support and encouragement among the participants, which speaks to the Be Your Best Self’ program,” said Joo. “We encourage each other to be our best, without changing who we are.”

Throughout the next year, Joo will represent California 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.”

“During the 10 days Hannah was in Bakersfield, we could see her changing,” said Kay Joo, Joo’s mother. “The Distinguished Young Women program has helped her learn to fully express her caring and appreciation towards others.”

Joo is the daughter of Steve and Kay Joo and will be a senior at Whitney High School this fall. Joo’s achievements include: National Forensic League - Special Distinction; American Academy of Ballet Performance Awards-Gold; Showstopper Dance National Finals - Platinum 1st; Cypress College Debate Tournament - 1st Speaker; International Thespian Society - National Thespian; Claremont Debate Invitational – Semifinalist; KAR Dance Competition-Top 1st Place, 7th overall; Damien Debates - 3rd Speaker; WHS Drama Club - Best Supporting Actress; Rotary District 5320 Club Speech Contest-1st Place. In addition, Joo’s activities include: Ballet; Varsity Policy Debate Team; Whitney Independent News Network Reporter; Drama Club Treasurer; International Thespian Society; Global Edunews Volunteer Center Coordinator; Spanish Honor Society; Spanish Club member.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Joo 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 will attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville this fall, won the 2011 overall award.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of California, please contact Debbie Porwoll at 661-319-8473 debbie@cajrmiss.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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