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1st Distinguished Young Woman of Oak Creek will be named at the 50th Oak Creek Junior Miss Scholarship Program

The 50th annual Oak Creek Junior Miss Program will be held on Sunday, April 17th at 4:30 p.m. in the cafetorium of Oak Creek West Middle School, 8401 S. 13th Street. In an effort to reposition the program for the future, a new name was announced last summer.  Junior Miss will now be known as Distinguished Young Women, with the tagline Scholarship, Leadership, Talent.   Thus first Distinguished Young Woman of Oak Creek will be selected and succeed Oak Creek’s 2011 Junior Miss, Elena Santi.  Elena will use her scholarship to attend UW-Madison this fall. 

The name of the program was changed by the national organization to be more descriptive of what we really do: Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

  • By encouraging continued education and providing college scholarships
  • By developing self-confidence and the abilities to interview effectively, to speak in public, to perform on stage and to build interpersonal relationships
  • By encouraging and showcasing excellence in academic achievement, physical fitness, on-stage performance skills, and the ability to think and communicate clearly
  • By creating opportunities to beneficially inspire the lives of others 

Although the name is new, the participants continue to be evaluated in five categories: interview, worth 25% of the total score, scholastics worth 20%, talent 25%, and fitness and self-expression, each worth 15%.  The three participants in Oak Creek are: 

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Katie Damitz
Oak Creek High School
Daughter of Sue Riley and Dean Damitz
Activities/Honors: Show Choir, Choir, Tennis, SADD, Church, Student Council, Manager of JV Softball, Best Buddies, Perfect Attendance Award, Various WSMA District and State Solo and Ensemble Singing Awards, Volunteer Work
Talent: Vocal

Gina Miliacca
Martin Luther High School
Daughter of Rachel and Mark Miliacca
Activities/Honors: Church Usher, Sunday School Teacher and Aide, National Honor Society, Symphonic Band, Flute Choir, JV Basketball Captain, Pep Band, Grade School Basketball Coaching Assistant, American Legion Post 434 Junior Member, Ranked 6th in the Nation in Baton Twirling, Three WSMA State and District Gold Medals, Miss Badger State, Wisconsin State Solo, One Baton and Two Baton Champion, Basketball and Football Half-Time Performer   
Talent: Baton Twirling

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Rita Fadness
Oak Creek High School
Daughter of Phyllis and Kenneth Fadness
Activities/Honors: National Honor Society, Student Council, Marching Band, Young Republicans Club – Public Relations, Freshman Mentoring Program, Oak Creek Assembly of God Orchestra, Board of Ed. Award for Academic Excellence, Renaissance Award, Perfect Attendance Award, WSMA District and State Solo Ensemble Awards, Instrumentalist Magazine Musicianship Award, Band Participant Award, Social Studies Student of the Month
Talent: Flute 

The Distinguished Young Woman of Oak Creek 2012 will receive the opportunity for many scholarships, including a $400 cash scholarship to the school of her choice.  Other prizes will be awarded.  She will then go on to participate in Distinguished Young Women of Wisconsin in Franklin in August. Patricia Paskov, the 2011 Distinguished Young Woman of Wisconsin will perform on Sunday.

Because this is our 50th golden anniversary many former Junior Misses will be involved in the show.  Any previous participants and volunteers are especially invited to participate in the celebration and will be invited to introduce themselves on stage.  Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $8.00 at the door.  Tickets can be purchased from any of the participants or by calling program coordinator, Lisa Lesjak, at (414) 254-2464.  Lisa is also celebrating a milestone in that this is her 25th year as the program’s coordinator. 

On the national level Distinguished Young Women is sponsored by the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Spanx Foundation, Encore Rehabilitation, Mobile Gas – A Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation, and Regions Bank. The 54th National Finals will take place in Mobile, Alabama on June 23, 24 & 25, 2011. For more information please visit us online at www.DistinguishedYW.org

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