Perez dubbed Ritzville's Distinguished Young Woman

With the theme of “Don’t Stop Believing,” three young women showed their determination and became the newest representatives for Ritzville. The latest Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville is Amalia Perez, and is joined by two princesses, Brooke Pichette and Taylor White.

The Distinguished Young Women program took place on Friday, Mar. 16 in the Gilson gymnasium with a large crowd gathered to share in the junior class girls’ experience. The group of five young women that participated in the event were joined by two escorts, five sophomore sisters and the previous year’s royalty for Ritzville.

Along with being crowned as queen, Perez received both the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville Spirit Award and the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Ritzville Scholastic Award.

The Distinguished Young Women program, established in 1958 as American’s Junior Miss program, became Distinguished Young Women two years ago and has been part of the Ritzville community for over 50 years. The program is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school girls in the nation.

Distinguished Young Women’s mission is to positively impact young women by offering them opportunities for scholarships and rewarding them for scholarship, leadership and talent. Through the experience of participating in the program, Distinguished Young Women hopes to encourage individual potential and help the girls showcase their accomplishments.

The focus of Distinguished Young Women is to help young girls develop self-confidence by encouraging education, fitness, public speaking and creating opportunities to help inspire the lives of others.