The Distinguished Young Women (formerly Butler County Junior Miss) annual scholarship program was June 7 at the Succop Theater.

Eleven contestants, competing for $11,000 in scholarships, were judged on scholastic ability, fitness, talent, self-expression and interview.

The winner, Claire Georgiadis of Mars, will claim more than $4,000 which will considerably defray the cost of her first year of higher education.

On behalf of the board of directors of the program, I would like to thank the contestants and their families. In what is likely the busiest time of the year for them, these girls committed to hours of rehearsals and practice.

I encourage all young women entering the 11th grade this fall to consider participating. We will begin recruiting in January but welcome all interested juniors to seek information at www.ajm.org.

The board also is looking for new members to help in the running of the program.

This program acknowledges and supports the successes of intelligent, responsible young women. I hope that with our community’s help, we can continue to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.