Roseburg, Ore. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon

Statewide scholarship program awarded $6,400 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (August 8, 2011) - On August 6, Boni Yraguen of Roseburg, Ore. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon and awarded $2,900 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore.

Yraguen was one of 14 high school senior girls from Oregon who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Oregon for 2012. Other award recipients included: Eudora Erickson of Beaverton (1st Alternate, Self-Expression Award, Interview Award); Judy Ford of The Dalles (Fitness Award); and Breanna Henstrom of Portland (Talent Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Yraguen will represent Oregon 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.”

Yraguen is the daughter of Juan and Kristin Yraguen and is a senior at Roseburg High School. Yraguen’s achievements include: 2011 Girls Track-Top 10 P.V. and Most Improved; Sonatina Piano Festival 1st Place; Oregon's Outstanding Teen-2nd Runner Up; Douglas County Outstanding Teen-Miss Congeniality; Evening of Excellence: Science and English; Patriotic Art Contest-District State Qualifier; Academic Feather Award 2009, 2010, 2011; Most Volunteer Hours NHS New Member; Orange and Black Pride May and Nov 2010; MVP Cheerleading 2009. In addition, Yraguen’s activities include: Piano; National Honor Society; Douglas County's Outstanding Teen 2010; Varsity Track: Pole Vault; Link Crew; Leadership; Polynesian Dancing; Key Club; Swim Team; Varsity Cheerleading.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Yraguen 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 Oregon, please contact Pam Hubble at 503-575-8348 Oregon@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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