Statewide scholarship program awarded over $15,000 in cash scholarships to participants
On July 9, 2016, Amanda Ellis of Towson, Md. was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland and awarded $6,000 in cash scholarships during a statewide program for high school girls held at ThorpeWood in Westminster, Md.
Ellis was one of fourteen high school senior girls from Maryland who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Maryland for 2017. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%).
Throughout the next year, Ellis will represent the state 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 epeople through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.
Ellis is the daughter of David and Deborah Ellis and is a senior at The George Washington Carver Center for the Arts and Technology in Towson, Md.
A generous grant from the Kahlert Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation of Carroll County, has made it possible to award over $15,000 to the participants on the state and local levels -- all who excel in academics, talent and community involvement as leaders throughout the state of Maryland.
The 60th National Finals will take place on June 29, 30 and July 1, 2017, in Mobile, Ala. Ellis will travel to Mobile, along with 51 other representatives from across the country to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2017 and for additional cash scholarships. South Carolina’s Tara Moore, who is attending Clemson University, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2016.
For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Maryland or to set up an interview with Amanda Ellis, please contact Cheri PoklembaMaryland@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 59 years of operation, the program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 740,000 young women. Distinguished Young Women has provided more than $104 million in cash scholarships and $1.1 billion in college granted scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national level. 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 Mobile County, City of Mobile, Wintzell's Oyster House, The Hearin-Chandler Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Regions Financial Corporation, and Alabama Media Group.
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Michelle Touchton, National Headquarters Marketing and Development Director Michelle@DistinguishedYW.org) or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
