Saline's Chrissy Houle is Michigan's Distinguished Young Woman

Saline High School senior Chrissy Houle was named 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan.

Houle earned the honor Saturday, Jan. 28, at the 54th Distinguished Young Women of Michigan Scholarship Program at .

Thirteen contestants from around the state of Michigan were awarded a total of $10,000 in college scholarships.

Chrissy Houle, the Distinguished Young Woman of Saline, was announced as the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan. She received a total of $3,550 in cash scholarships and was also announced as a Talent Award winner and Interview Award winner, a Self Expression Award winner and a Scholastic Award winner. She will represent Michigan at the Distinguished Young Woman of America Scholarship Program in Mobile, AL on June 30.  A fully-paid two-week trip to Mobile, AL is also given by the Distinguished Young Women of America organization. Houle is also eligible for many full ride scholarships at various colleges around the country through the national program. 

“This was the most talented group of young women we have ever had participate in the state scholarship program and we are so excited with the new Distinguished Young Woman of Michigan. She will be an excellent representative at state wide functions throughout the year and also at the nationals in Mobile Alabama.” said Angela Bobo, director of the state organization.

Houle is a senior at Saline High School and is also a part of the Saline High School Marching Band as the Majorette Captain. She is also the secretary of her school’s National Honor Society, the President of the Business Professionals of America and a part of the Students Re-Investing in a Valuable Education. She is a baton twirler with the Saline Twirlettes under the direction of Susan Usher.  She has been an award winning twirler for the past thirteen years and is part of the thirteen time National Champion Saline Twirlettes.

Ankita Nallani, the Distinguished Young Women of Troy was announced as first runner up and was awarded $2,300 in college scholarships. Sarah Baker, the Distinguished Young Woman of Irish Hills, was announced as the 2nd runner up and received $1,750 in college scholarships.

Payton Reilly, the Distinguished Young Woman of Howell, was announced as 3rd runner up and received $1,150.00 college scholarship. And Eberechi Ogbuaku, the Distinguished Young Woman of Inkster, was awarded $550. Bethany Ehardt, the Distinguished Young Woman of Milford received a $300 Physical Fitness Award.

The Distinguished Young Women of Michigan Scholarship Program awards college scholarships to young women who have distinguished themselves at school and in their communities. It is part of the Distinguished Young Women of America, which is the largest and oldest scholarship program for high school seniors in the country. Since the scholarships program first began in 1958, over $90 million dollars in college scholarships have been awarded. National sponsors are Alabama Power, Encore Rehabilitation, Mobile Gas, Regions Bank, Spanx, Eastern Shore Toyota and the city and county of Mobile Alabama. More information on this worthwhile scholarship program is available at www.distinguishedyw.org.