Las Cruces, N.M. – On Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, Ashley Purcella of Albuquerque, N.M., was named the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico for 2019 and awarded $1,250 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at the Alma D'Arte Charter High School in Las Cruces, N.M.
Purcella was one of five high school senior girls from New Mexico who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of New Mexico for 2019. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%).
Throughout the next year, Purcella 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.
Purcella, the daughter of Gary and Cathi Purcella, is a senior at Albuquerque, N.M., and plans to attend the University of Alabama on the full academic scholarship offered to Distinguished Young Women state winners.
The 62ndNational Finals will take place on June 27, 28 and 29, 2019, in Mobile, Ala. Purcella will travel to Mobile, along with 50 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 2019 and for additional cash scholarships. Indiana's Aaryan Morrison, who is attending Harvard University, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2018.
For more information on Distinguished Young Women of New Mexico or to set up an interview with Purcella, please contact Karen Caroe, 575-571-7491 or email NewMexico@DistinguishedYW.org.
About Distinguished Young Women
Begun in 1958, Distinguished Young Women has impacted the lives of more than 770,000 young women. Our mission is to empower high school young women by providing scholarship opportunities, developing self-confidence and teaching crucial life skills needed for success in college and beyond. National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Wintzell's Oyster House, Master Boat Builders, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Evonik, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Jessica Sawyer, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Jessica@DistinguishedYW.org or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org.