MOUNT VERNON — Annika Kanuckel-Wolfe’s strong effort at being her best self during the Distinguished Young Women of Knox County competition carried over to the state level this weekend. The Mount Vernon High School senior once again received the Be Your Best Self Award, this time at the Distinguished Young Women of Ohio competition.
“It was amazing. I honestly wasn’t expecting to win anything,” Kanuckel-Wolfe said. “I was just happy to be here and meet so many new friends.
“I loved getting to know everyone. I feel like every single person has inspired me to be better in some way,” Kanuckel-Wolfe continued. “You always hear people talk about it. It’s a very cliche thing to say, but it is so true.”
Kanuckel-Wolfe also won the Self Expression Award. As part of the Green Group, she was required to use to the word “balance” to express herself.
“Life is a constant balancing act. It’s making your voice heard while still listening to others,” Kanuckel-Wolfe said during her portion of the Self Expression competition. “It’s being productive while still allowing yourself time to rest. It’s about finding a way to balance all of your loud, bold, brave, spontaneous qualities with those of thoughtfulness, wisdom, patience, and peace in your own way.”
As part of winning the awards, Kanuckel-Wolfe also received a combined $700 in cash scholarships.
Kanuckel-Wolfe gave a vocal performance of “Not for the Life of Me” during the talent portion of the competition.
Brooke Hursh, the Richland County representative, also went home a winner. The Clear Fork High School senior received the Scholastic Overall Award and the “Service Above Self” Leadership Award. She received a total of $1,450 in cash scholarships.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” Hursh said of her experience. “I met so many wonderful girls and I’m so glad I got to meet them.”
Hursh was amazed to win the top scholastic award. “I’ve worked hard my entire life to get the best grades I can and work hard in my school life. It feels good to have that rewarded.”
She gave a vocal performance of “Blessings” as her talent.
The top prize of the night, Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio, went to Licking County representative Elizabeth Ohl. She is a senior at Newark Catholic High School and plans on continuing her education to become a veterinarian after high school.
Ohl received high marks from the judges, winning in the talent competition with a performance of “Interstellar Main Theme” on the piano. She was also a scholastic finalist and received a “Service Above Self” Leadership Award.
“Words can’t even describe the feeling (of being named Distinguished Young Woman of Ohio),” Ohl said. “I wasn’t even expecting it at all. It’s just so amazing.”
She was looking forward to competing on the national stage in Mobile, Alabama later this year. “I’m so excited for that,” Ohl said. “I love making new friends and I’m so excited to be with people from other states and learning about their cultures and things that are different in their states, too.”
Ohl received $6,750 in combined scholarships.
Paige Barnes of Hamilton County was named first-runner up and Alexa Bader of Lucas County received second-runner up honors. Macie Westrick of Washington County and Kiarra Anderson of Summit County were named finalists.
The award recipients were as follows:
- Stephen Zelkowitz Communication Award: Meredith Lea (Mahoning County)
- Service Above Self Leadership Award: Elizabeth Ohl, Brooke Hursh (Richland County), Maddie Allman (Ross County)
- Be Your Best Self Award: Kiarra Anderson, Annika Kanuckel-Wolfe (Knox County), Meredith Lea
- Distinguished Young Women Spirit Award: Maddie Allman and McKenna Schwartz (Northern Delaware County)
The following young women won the various categories they were judged in:
- Fitness: Olivia Frissora (Southern Delaware County) and Hannah Sabedra (Central Delaware County)
- Self Expression: Annika Kanuckel-Wolfe and Paige Barnes
- Talent: Ariana Kocab (Lake County) and Elizabeth Ohl
- Interview: Paige Barnes and Kiarra Anderson
- Scholastic: Ryann Ramey (Vinton County) and Elizabeth Ohl
- Scholastic Overall Award: Brooke Hursh
