On June 12, 50 young women from across the country arrived in Mobile, Alabama for the 54^th Distinguished Young Women National Finals. Throughout the next two weeks, these accomplished and talented young women participated in public appearances, community service and team

Watch it here! Katye Brock named Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2011!

building activities, in addition to rehearsing and preparing for the National Finals production. The Class of 2011 left their mark on Mobile and represented each of their states with great enthusiasm. 

The 54th National Finals culminated with the selection of Katye Brock of Tennessee as the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2011. Click here to see all award recipients from the 2011 National Finals.




 

National Finals Recap - By the Numbers:  

• $142,000 - Total amount of cash scholarships awarded to the Class of 2011
• 25 - Number of participants who received a cash scholarship award
• $51,200 - Katye Brock's total earnings in cash scholarships from the local, state and national program
• 4.0 - Average GPA for the Class of 2011
• 30 - Average ACT score for the Class of 2011
• 8 - Number of National Sponsors contributing to Distinguished Young Women. Click here to learn more. 
• 80+ - Number of In-Kind sponsors who gave of their time and resources to make National Finals a success
• 100+ - Number of National Finals volunteers

  Missed National Finals? See the Class of 2011 in their Final Night Performance!

To see photos from the full two weeks of activities, visit FusionPoint Media.

In her hometown of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Katye Brock graduated from Tullahoma High School, where she was president of the National Honor Society, founder and president of the nonprofit organization R.A.I.S.E., and involved in musical theater. Through her role with R.A.I.S.E. (Raising Awareness in Schools Everywhere), Katye encouraged her peers to learn about the children of Northern Uganda and their struggles. She organized fundraisers and book drives benefiting the children and grew the student organization to the second largest in her high school. 

 

Katye is the program's second winner from Tennessee and the second young woman be named the Distinguished Young Woman of America following the program's name change in 2010. At the 2011 National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, she performed "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway musical Wicked. Katye learned about Distinguished Young Women from her 10th grade English teacher who encouraged her to sign up and participate.

 

This fall, Katye will attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and pursue a degree in International Studies with hopes to one day practice international law. Eventually, she would like to work for the United Nations or run a nonprofit organization.

 

Little known facts about Katye:

• Katye has two brothers - Matthew, 24 and Adam, 27.
• She does not eat red meat.
• She has played a number of different sports at one point or another in her life including tennis, basketball, softball, powderpuff football, swimming, track, soccer and gymnastics.
• She will try almost any food.
• Katye goes to Disney World every year (she is there this week), and still attends a princess breakfast each time.
• She loves sunflowers.
• She has four animals: three dogs (Ginger, Marley and Riley) and one cat (Lily). She is allergic to all of them.

Follow Katye on Twitter!

As of today, six states have selected their Distinguished Young Woman for 2012 and five more young women will be added following state programs taking place this weekend. We welcome the following outstanding young women to the Distinguished Young Women Class of 2012:

 

From left to right: Sierra Terrell, Maryland; Bethany Mlinar, South Carolina; Anna-Marie Arhberg, Oklahoma; Lexee Hill, Tennessee; Lizabeth Marquart, Missouri; Mallory Pitts, Mississippi