Nicolette Young of Las Cruces was named the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico and awarded $700 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the National Dance Institute of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Young is a senior at Centennial High School.
The 57th National Finals will take place on June 26, 27, and 28, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. Young 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 2014 and for additional cash scholarships. Washington’s Nicole Renard, who is attending Chapman University, won the 2013 overall award.
Young was one of four high school senior girls from New Mexico who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico for 2014. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).
Throughout the next year, Young 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 people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.