Princeton, W. Va. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia

Statewide scholarship program awarded $1,500 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (October 6, 2011) - On September 18, Jennifer Pruett of Princeton, W. Va. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of West Virginia and awarded $1,000 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Pikeview High School in Princeton W. Va.

Kaylee LaPosta of Weirton was named the 1st Runner Up and awarded a $500 cash scholarship. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Pruett will represent West Virginia 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.”

Pruett is the daughter of Gregory and Lisa Pruett and is a senior at Princeton Senior High School. Pruett’s achievements include: Senior Class Representative; Volleyball Varsity Captain; Concord Business Challenge Scholarship Winner; Freshmen Class President; Sophomore Class President; Junior Class President; Highest Average in Business Law Class; Yearbook Achievement Award; Honor Roll; and Top Ten Percent of Class Rankings. In addition, Pruett’s activities include: National Honor Society; Madrigal (Honors Choir) Member; Varsity Volleyball Player; Prom Committee President; Member of local Relay for Life Team; Jr. Church Teacher; Counselor for Summer Church Camp; Travel Volleyball Club; Yearbook Staff Member; and Coach for Youth Volleyball Camp.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Pruett 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 currently attends the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, won the 2011 overall award.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of West Virginia, please contact Jennifer Tolbert at 251-438-3621 Jennifer@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, SPANX, 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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