Racine, Wis. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $7,500 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (August 8, 2011) - On August 6, Jeanette Morelan of Racine, Wis. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin and awarded $4,500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center in South Milwaukee, Wis.

Morelan was one of 13 high school senior girls from Wisconsin who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin for 2012. Other award recipients included: Karlee Nimmer of Kewaunee (1st Alternate, Self-Expression Award, Interview Award, Talent Award) and Abigail Rufer of Brookfield (2nd Alternate, Scholastics Award, Fitness Award). Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Morelan will represent Wisconsin 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.”

Morelan is the daughter of Helen and Robert Morelan and is a senior at The Prairie School. Morelan’s achievements include: Imogene Powers Johnson Scholar; Member of Cum Laude Society; Vice President of Student Government; Highest Academic Achievement Award; Presidential Award for Academic Excellence honoree; National Merit Society Semifinalist; Model OAS Outstanding Delegate and Best Delegation; Model UN Outstanding Delegate Award; National Leadership and Service Award; National Society of High School Scholars Honoree. In addition, Morelan’s activities include: Youth Ambassador for Optimist International; Member of the Teen Advisory Council for CHW; Racine Volunteer Center-Youth Activities Board; Spokesperson for Children's Miracle Network; Ambassador for the DARE program; Girls Know How representative; Published Author; 350.org event coordinator; Model OAS and Model UN; Church Volunteer and Singer.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Alabama. Morelan 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 Wisconsin, please contact Sue Herman at 414-525-9283 Wisconsin@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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