GMC News

Distinguished Young Women of Milledgeville-Baldwin County formerly Milledgeville-Baldwin’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program, awarded scholarships to high school girls in Milledgeville-Baldwin County on Sunday, March 7, 2011. Over $8,000 in scholarships was awarded, and sixteen different scholarships were presented. Caroline Hooks of GMC Prep School won the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Milledgeville for 2012, $2,250 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to compete for the title of Distinguished Young Women of Georgia on July 30, 2011. Hooks is the daughter of Teresa Kennedy & David Hooks. She plans to attend North Georgia College & State University and pursue a degree in Nursing. Her activities include: GMC Drill Team • GMC Rifle Team, Captain • Army JROTC • New Life Ministries Drama Team • New Life Ministries Youth Group • New Life Ministries Praise Band • GMC Marching Band • Science fair • Technology Fair • Accelerated Reader. The state winner will travel to Mobile, Alabama to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing with representatives from the other 49 states for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $125,000 in cash scholarships. “The Junior Miss/Distinguished Young Women experience is like nothing else out there. Participants learn to push their limits in physical fitness, to speak with confidence in public situations, to present themselves with grace and dignity, to form their own opinions and ideas about the world around them, and to develop and perform one of their many talents. Each year, I like to take a few minutes while the judges are in deliberation to address the class as a group one final time before the announcement of our new representatives. I like to remind them that the young women selected to move onto the state competition are not winners from a group of representatives, but rather representatives from a group of winners. I also take the opportunity to remind the girls of the personal growth & transformation that I have witnessed in each of them over the past several months. I can truly say that they have all become Distinguished Young Women in the process,” said April Bragg. Thirteen high school girls participated in the program, all of whom are members of the graduating class of 2012. In addition to winning the title, Yao also won awards for Overall Talent, Scholastic Achievement & Self-Expression. Hooks also received awards for Fitness, Talent & Self-Expression. First honoree Daisy Van de Mark of Baldwin High School received awards for Overall Scholastic & the Spirit of Junior Miss for a scholarship total of $1,8500. Candice Song of Baldwin High School was named Second Honoree and also received awards for Fitness and Talent bringing her scholarship total to $$1,150. Anna-Maria Reyes of Baldwin High School received a $250 scholarship for Scholastic Achievement, and Christina Burgess of John Milledge Academy received the $250 Be Your Best Self Award. Other awards presented include: Local sponsors include: Milledgeville MainStreet/DDA, Advanced Disposal Service, GCSU Pan-Hellenic Council, and Serenity Wellness Spa & Salon, Flooring America, Shana Cawley Photography, Attaway Recycling, Aubri Lane’s, BB&T, The Brick, GCSU Community Dance Program, The Harshbarger Family, JC Grant Company Jewelers, Pickle Barrel Café, Studio One School of Dance, and Wright Banks Realty, Adams & Jordan PC, Amici Italian Café , Anchor Club of John Milledge Academy, Baldwin Body Shop, Baldwin High School Band of Braves, Blackbird Coffee, Bindworks, Inc., Chick-fil-A, Coldwell Banker -Tom Hall, Coldwell Banker – Kim Herrin & Terri Weaver, EBLA Academy, Elite School of Gymnastics, Exchange Club of Milledgeville, Georgia Power, GMC Prep School , Physical & Athletic Rehabilitation Center, Southern Orthopedics, Southside Equipment, and The Union-Recorder. All state winners will travel to Mobile, Alabama, 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 $125,000 in cash scholarships. Idaho’s Madison Leonard who attends Pepperdine University, won the 2010 title. Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, America’s Junior Miss, now 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 $63 million in cash and college scholarships opportunities. Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. National sponsors include the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Encore Rehabilitation, Spanx Foundation, Mobile Gas: a Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation, and Regions Bank. For more information about Distinguished Young Women of Milledgeville-Baldwin County, please contact Local Program Director April Bragg at 478-453-3417. For more information about Distinguished Young Women, visit the Distinguished Young Women Web site: www.DistinguishedYW.org.