Gilbert, Ariz. teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona

Statewide scholarship program awarded more than $17,000 in cash scholarships to participants

Mobile, Ala. (February 13, 2012) - On February 4, Cosette Amanda Fife of Gilbert, Ariz. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona and awarded $4,500 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Red Mountain High School in Mesa, Ariz.

Fife was one of 21 high school senior girls from Arizona who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Arizona for 2012. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Throughout the next year, Fife will represent Arizona 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.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

Fife is the daughter of Jim and Amy Fife and is a senior at Highland High School. Fife’s achievements include: Attendance to AASC; Student Council executive chairman of spirit; Student Council executive historian; 200 hours of community service. In addition, Fife’s activities include: Relay for Life team captain; American Idol contestant; Student council executive officer; High school choir; Classical voice lessons with Brandon Stewart; Actress in local musicals; Community service class GC105; Voice and musical theatre teacher; Lamb of God choir; Writing and recording original music.

The 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobile, Ala. Fife will travel to Mobile, Ala. 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 is attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, won the 2011 overall award.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Arizona, please contact Jesika Harmon at Arizona@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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