Cartersville, Ga. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $13,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (August 1, 2011) - On July 30, Mary-Clayton Gilbert of Cartersville, Ga. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia and awarded $5,600 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta, Ga.

Gilbert was one of 30 high school senior girls from Georgia who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Georgia for 2012. Other award recipients included: Iliana Garcia of Newnan (1st Runner-up, Self-Expression Award, Talent Award, Scholastics Award) and Lydia Pappas of Atlanta (2nd Runner-up, Fitness Award, Talent Award, Scholastics Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Gilbert will represent Georgia 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.

Gilbert is the daughter of Tom and Regina Gilbert and will be a senior at Independent Studies Academy Home School this fall. Gilbert’s achievements include: Elected 4-H State Officer, NW District President; 1st place NW 4-H Project Achievement PA – Vocal; Honor Roll Ind. Studies Academy (Living Science); 4-H Master Consumer Judging; Interlochen Arts Camp Music Theatre (MI) Intensive; Student Director for Clovers and Company; Ensemble singer in "Sound of Music" at Fox Theatre; Lead roles: Ariel - "Footloose"/Dana - "Camp Rock"; Chosen for American Ballet Theatre Intensive; Callbacks-Atl. Lyric, Legacy, and Fox Pro Theatres. In addition, Gilbert’s activities include: Global Culture Environmental Exchange-Puerto Rico; 4-H Ambassador-Military Kids, Health Rocks, Global; Steps-of-Faith Advanced Company Dancer; Clovers and Company singer (4-H show choir); Consumer Judging (local and state); Worship Team Leader-Cedarcrest Church; Partnership with Woodland MS Music Program; Allstate Chorus (3 yrs); Member of Broadway Dreams Foundation; TeenPact (state government leadership event).

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Gilbert 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 Georgia, please contact Al Smith at 404-569-4592 Georgia@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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