The Women's Council, an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance, is pleased to announce the 20 finalists for its 2012 Young Women of Distinction Awards.

From this group, four overall winners will be chosen, one in each category: City of Rochester, Suburban East, Suburban West and Regional (outside Monroe County). The finalists will be honored, and the winners announced, at dessert reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 21 at the Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside downtown. The reception will feature a keynote address by Dr. Judith Baumhauer of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the 2012 ATHENA Award recipient.

The finalists for Young Women of Distinction, which is modeled on the prestigious international ATHENA Award, were chosen from 71 applicants. Selections were based upon high academic performance, leadership and community services. The finalists are:

• Anne Abel, Aquinas High School
• Veronica Aboujaoude, Rush Henrietta Central School District
• Meghan Barefoot, Our Lady of Mercy High School
• Pechrasmey Chhun, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Bethany Cok, Penfield High School
• Cassandra Derr, Rush Henrietta Central School District
• Gaylen Fronk, Penfield High School
• Leah Garlock, School of the Arts
• Michelle Elizabeth Hart, Victor High School
• Lori Beth Hasenauer, Wayne Central School
• Evelyn Haynes, Rush Henrietta High School
• Erin Hill, Brockport High School
• Kerry Huang, Webster Schroeder High School
• Chiamaka Ikpeze, Brighton High School
• Janna Karatas, Penfield Central School District Emma Marshall, School of the Arts
• Amelia Rothfuss, North Rose- Wolcott High School
• Erika Steensma, Wayne Central High School
• Ruth Steinke, Honeoye Falls-Lima Senior High School
• Elizabeth Weir, Wheatland-Chili Central Schools

The 20 finalists will each receive gift bags, recognition certificates, a scholarship to a leadership training course and an opportunity to apply for a paid internship with one of the program's internship sponsors. The four winners will each receive a $2,000 scholarship for college as well as their choice of a paid internship with one of the sponsoring employers.

Tickets to the May 21 event are complimentary for the finalists, their nominators and families. Others may purchase a ticket for $10 by contacting Susan George at (585) 256-4612 or Susan.George@RBAlliance.com.