Worland teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming

WORLAND - Worland senior Taelor Nielsen was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming 2017 and was awarded $2,600 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the First Christian Church in Laramie Saturday.

Nielsen was one of five high school senior girls from Wyoming who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Wyoming for 2017. Participants were evaluated in the categories of scholastics (25 percent), interview (25 percent), talent (20 percent), fitness (15 percent), and self-expression (15 percent).

Throughout the next year, Nielsen will represent the state at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the programs 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.

"Being Wyoming's Distinguished Young Woman is such an honor because it is so much more than just a title," says Nielsen. "This program does a phenomenal job of bringing girls

together and highlighting their excellence both inside and outside the classroom. This program is also going to grant me an opportunity to make studying at an university more feasible. DYW truly has made an impact on my life in all the right ways!"

Nielsen is the daughter of Nick and Shae Nielsen and is a senior at Worland High School.

Worland seniors Sariah Durrant and Kylie Woffinden were first and second runner up.

The 60th National Finals will take place on June 29- July 1, 2017, in Mobile, Ala. Nielsen will travel to Mobile, along with 51 other representatives from across the country to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2017 and for additional cash scholarships.

South Carolina's Tara Moore, who is attending the Clemson University, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2016.

About Distinguished Young Women Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, Distinguished Young Women is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 59 years of operation, the program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 740,000 young women. Distinguished Young Women provided more than $104 million in cash scholarships and $1.1 billion college granted scholarship opportunities to program participants at the local, state and national level. Previously known as Americas Junior Miss, the program announced its new name in June 2010. The mission of Distinguished Young Women is to positively impact the lives of young women by providing a transformative experience that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent.

National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Wintzell's Oyster House, Evonik, Encore Rehabilitation, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, and Regions Financial Corporation.