Cushing teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma

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

Mobile, Ala. (July 25, 2011) - On July 23, Anna-Marie Ahrberg of Cushing was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma and awarded $1,900 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Bartlesville Community Center in Bartlesville, Okla. Ahrberg advanced to the state competition after being selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Payne County, where she received $600 in scholarship awards.

Ahrberg was one of 5 high school senior girls from Oklahoma who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Oklahoma for 2012. Other award recipients included: Leigha Briscoe of Washington (First Runner-Up, Overall Interview Award, Overall Scholastics Award) and Kendall Johnson of Sallisaw (Second Runner-Up). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

“This is truly an outstanding program and I will encourage my students to enter when they are eligible,” said Gerald Thompson, one of five judges for the 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Oklahoma competition and a middle school teacher and high school coach.

Throughout the next year, Ahrberg will represent Oklahoma 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.”

Ahrberg is the daughter of William and Jo Ahrberg and will be a senior at Cushing High School this fall. Ahrberg’s achievements include: Girls State (Elected State Representative); National Honor Society; Top Ten Percent of Class; Superintendents and Principals Honor Roll; Concurrent Enrollment Student - 4.0 GPA; Tomorrows Leaders; Gifted and Talented Program; Varsity Scholar; Outstanding Student - Physical Science; Geographic Club Senior Tea Model. In addition, Ahrberg’s activities include: Oak Grove Baptist Church youth leader; Prestige Dance Company; Cushing High School Dance Team; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Cushing High School Drama Production; Cushing High School Football Manager; Super Summer Family Career and Community Leaders of America; Cushing High School Baseball Manager; Lifeguarding.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Ahrberg 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 Oklahoma, please contact Sue Ford at 918-333-0986 Oklahoma@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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