Waldorf teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland 

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $4,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (July 19, 2011) - On July 16, Sierra Terrell of Waldorf was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland and awarded $2,500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at The Scott Center for Performing Arts in Westminster, Maryland. Terrell advanced to the state competition after being selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Southern Maryland, where she received $1,250 in scholarship awards.

Terrell was one of 8 high school senior girls from Maryland who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland for 2012. Other award recipients included: Madeleine Bohrer of Frostburg (First Runner-Up, Scholastics Award); Tiara Smith of Fort Washington (Self-Expression Award); and Emily Richey-Smith of Lexington Park (Spirit Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

“I am still overcome with emotion and surprise,” said Patricia Terrell, mother of Terrell. “Sierra was so surprised and stunned that she didn’t move for several second until someone told her to go out front and wave to the crowd.”

Throughout the next year, Terrell will represent Maryland 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.”

Terrell is the daughter of Patricia Terrell and Gary Terrell and will be a senior at North Point High School this fall. Terrell’s achievements include: Principal/High Honor Roll; Academic/Athletic Varsity Letters; Coach's Award. In addition, Terrell’s activities include: Julie Rayle's Dance Studio; North Point High School Poms Team (captain); D.I.V.A.S. Dance Team; Light House Baptist Church Dance Ministry; Future Business Leaders of America.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Terrell 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 Maryland, please contact Cheryl Poklemba at 443-277-7694 Maryland@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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