Four area high school seniors have been named recipients of the 2010 Young Women of Distinction Awards, presented by the Greater Rochester Women's Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance.

One winner was chosen in each of the following geographic categories:

• City of Rochester: Britny Jevonna Horton, a senior at Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School
• Eastside Suburban Monroe County: Margaret A. Uy, a senior at Our Lady of Mercy High School in Brighton
• Westside Suburban Monroe County: Christine Spencer, a senior at Hilton High School
• Regional: Hannah Wyland, a senior at Wayne Central High School in Ontario, Wayne County

Each student was awarded a $1,500 college scholarship as well as an opportunity for a paid internship at either the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Next Step Publishing, PAETEC or Susan B. Anthony House.

The four young women were selected from 20 finalists culled from 120 nominations from around the region. Each of the 20 finalists also received a gift bag as well as the opportunity to participate in a leadership training course.

Young Women of Distinction, modeled on the prestigious ATHENA Award, recognizes area high school juniors or seniors who have demonstrated superior academic performance, community service and leadership qualities.

The awards were presented this evening at a dessert reception at the Rochester Radisson Hotel downtown. The keynote speaker was the 2010 ATHENA recipient, Jennifer Leonard, president and executive director of the Rochester Area Community Foundation.

Sponsors for the event are ABVI, Excellus, Next Step, PAETEC, Louise Woerner, Apropos Financial Planning, FAME, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, HR Works Inc., HSBC Bank, Mengel, Metzger, Barr and Co. LLP, Novatek Communications, Inc., Rochester Clinical Research, Veritas Financial and WPO.