Greensboro welcomes N.C. Distinguished Young Woman Class of 2012

Some families in Greensboro expanded this weekend, welcoming the new class of Distinguished Young Women from across the state. Nineteen contestants arrived Saturday to settle in with host families who are opening their doors to create a “home” for each new “family member” during this week of competition.

Included in the 19 are three representing the local home front: Priyanka Anand, Kinston 2012 Distinguished Young Woman; Cierra Cotton, Jones-Onslow 2012 Distinguished Young Woman; and Meredith Sutton, Lenoir County 2012 Distinguished Young Woman.

These young women will spend the week rehearsing for the program, participating in community service activities, making civic appearances and speaking in elementary schools sharing the program’s “Be Your Best Self” national outreach. These daily activities will lead to preliminary competition in five categories — fitness, scholarship, talent, self expression and interview — with the finals set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in War Memorial Coliseum.

Included in each contestant’s personal information below are the host family name and mailing address plus personal email address to send supportive messages and well wishes throughout the week.

The N.C. Distinguished Young Woman 2011 is Rachael Delaney, Kinston’s 2011 Junior Miss. Delaney became the first to claim the state program title after the name and image change from Junior Miss to Distinguished Young Woman.

Delaney will be on hand to congratulate the winner and place the Distinguished Young Woman medallion around her neck, passing the torch to the new state representative.

The 50 state winners will vie for the national title June 28-30 in Mobile, Ala. All will compete for a share of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the national program as the Distinguished Young Woman of America.

Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Ala., Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. It has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women across the country and more than $93 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels.

Many participants leave the program with scholarships to help with college educations, but all walk away with friendships, life skills and increased self-confidence. Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.

Priyanka Anand, Kinston Distinguished Young Woman 2012

Birthday: Oct. 2, 1993

Parents: Rakesh and Archna Anand, Kinston

Siblings: Anika, 23 and Akshay, 12

Church: none

School: Arendell Parrott Academy

College preference: College of Charleston, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, N.C. State University, UNC

Career goal: Arts Management

Contestant: No. 3, Group A

Friday: Talent and Fitness competition

Saturday: Self Expression competition

Talent: Lyrical dance to ‘I Got You’ by Leona Lewis

Host family: Scott and Debbie Brown, 1810 Carmel Road, Greensboro, NC 27408

Email: priyankasanand@gmail.com

Cierra Cotton, Jones-Onslow 2012 Distinguished Young Woman

Birthday: July 6, 1994

Parents: Walter Cotton of Scotland Neck, Sheila Cotton of Rich Square

Siblings: Natalie, 9 and Jessica, 7

Church: Centerview Baptist Church

School: Jacksonville High School

College preference: UNC

Career goal: Broadcast Journalism and Mass Communications

Contestant: No. 18, Group C

Friday: Talent and Self Expression competition

Saturday: Fitness competition

Talent: Lyrical dance to Natalie Grant’s ‘In Better Hands’

Host family: Shannon and Kevin Roley, 4204 Tallwood Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410-4524

Email: cbcotton94@yahoo.com

Meredith Sutton, Lenoir County Distinguished Young Woman 2012

Birthday: Aug. 30, 1994

Parents: Dennis and Deborah Sutton, Pink Hill

Siblings: Zachary Sutton, 21

Church: Deep Run First Baptist

School: South Lenoir High School

College preference: UNC

Career goal: Pharmacist

Contestant: No. 19, Group C

Friday: Talent and Self Expression competition

Saturday: Fitness competition

Talent: Acro/jazz dance to ‘Friend Like Me’ from Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ performed by Robin Williams

Host family: Phil and Beth Sizemore, 409 Beverly Place, Greensboro, NC  27401

Email: meredith01sutton@aim.com

Breakout

N.C. Distinguished Young Women 2012 Finals

7 p.m. Feb. 3, 4

War Memorial Auditorium

Greensboro Coliseum Complex

1921 W. Lee St., Greensboro

Tickets, $35 per night

Available at door