Millsboro, Del. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $3,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (August 8, 2011) - On August 6, Mary Margaret Saylor of Millsboro, Del. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware and awarded $2,500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Possum Point Players Theater in Georgetown, Del.

Saylor was one of 8 high school senior girls from Delaware who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Delaware for 2012. Other award recipients included: Alina Ehsan of Newark (1st Honoree, Spirit Award, Be Your Best Self Essay Award) and Ashley Tiedgen of Magnolia (2nd Honoree, Self-Expression Award, Talent Award, Fitness Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Saylor will represent Delaware 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.”

Saylor is the daughter of Karen and Joseph Saylor and is a senior at Indian River High School. Saylor’s achievements include: IRSD Academic Excellence Award; First Team Academic All-State Wrestling Manager; Academic All Conference Cheerleader; Academic All Conference Track Runner; 1st Place Regional Individual Math League Winner; 1st Place Regional Team Math League; 2nd Place Regional Team Math League. In addition, Saylor’s activities include: National Honor Society; Varsity Cheerleading; Varsity Track; Stage Band Show (singing); Band; Chorus; Wrestling Manager; Math League; Leo Club; Bowling Club.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Saylor 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 $140,000 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 Delaware, please contact Aimee Parker at 302-542-2065 Delaware@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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