Omaha, Neb. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska

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

Mobile, Ala. (August 1, 2011) - On July 31, Julia Carlson of Omaha, Neb. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska and awarded $1,800 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Gretna High School Auditorium in Gretna, Neb.

Carlson was one of 8 high school senior girls from Nebraska who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska for 2012. Other award recipients included: Laura Oberg of Stromsburg (1st Runner-up) and Kelsey Allen of Papillion (2nd Runner-up). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

In addition to cash scholarships, Carlson is eligible to receive more than $250,000 in college-granted scholarship opportunities from universities including Auburn University, Troy University, University of South Alabama and Huntingdon College.

Throughout the next year, Carlson will represent Nebraska 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.”

Carlson is the daughter of Michael Carlson and Kim Carlson and will be a senior at Omaha Westside High School this fall. Carlson’s achievements include: Junior Class Vice President; Outstanding Pre-Calculus Honors Student; Outstanding Information Technology 2 Student. In addition, Carlson’s activities include: Mary Lorraines Dance Center; Westside Cheer - Reserve, JV, Varsity; Antigone Cast - Ismene (supporting role); DECA - Junior and Senior Officer; Ethical Literacy Committee; Much Ado About Nothing Cast – Ensemble; National Honors Society; Spanish Honors Society; Student Advisory Board.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Carlson 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 Nebraska, please contact Stacey Fletcher at 402-253-2027 Nebraska@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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