Riverside teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island

Riverside, Rhode Island – On July 30th, 2022, Makena Petsch of Riverside, Rhode Island, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Rhode Island for 2023 and awarded $2250 in cash scholarships during a statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Academy Players of Rhode Island in Providence.

Petsch was one of 4 high school senior girls from Rhode Island who competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of STATE for 2023. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%), and Self-Expression (15%).

Throughout the next year, Petsch 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.

Petsch is the daughter of Brian and Danielle and is a senior at East Providence High School. The 66th National Finals will take place on June 22, 23, and 24, 2023, in Mobile, Ala. Petsch will travel to Mobile, along with 49 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 2023 and for additional cash scholarships. Arizona’s Katelyn Cai, now a freshman at Duke University, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2022.

For more information on Distinguished Young Women of Rhode Island or to set up an interview with Makena, please contact Allii Fontaine and Angel Costanza at rhodeisland@distinguishedyw.org. 

About Distinguished Young Women
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County,

City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Tara Lawson, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, at 251-438-3621 or Tara@DistinguishedYW.org  or visit www.DistinguishedYW.org