Four area high school seniors have been named recipients of the 2012 Young Women of Distinction Awards, presented by the Women's Council to recognize young women who demonstrate excellence in academics, community service and leadership.

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

• City of Rochester: Anne Abel, Aquinas Institute of Rochester;
• Suburban East: Bethany Cok, Penfield High School;
• Suburban West: Evelyn Haynes, Rush-Henrietta High School;
• Regional: Lori Beth Hasenauer, Wayne Central High School.

The four winners each received a $2,000 scholarship as well as her choice of a paid internship with one of the sponsoring employers. They were selected from 20 finalists culled from more than 70 nominations from around the region.

All 20 finalists received 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 other finalists were:

• Veronica Aboujaoude, Rush-Henrietta High School
• Megan Barefoot, Our Lady of Mercy High School
• Pechramsey Chhun, Thomas Jefferson High School
• Cassandra Derr, Rush-Henrietta High School
• Gaylen Fronk, Penfield High School
• Leah Garlock, School of the Arts
• Michelle Elizabeth Hart, Victor Senior High School
• Erin Hill, Brockport High School
• Kerry Huang, Webster Schroeder High School
• Chiamaka Ikpeze, Brighton High School
• Janna Leigh Karatas, Penfield High School
• Emma Xuxu Marshall, School of the Arts
• Amelia Rothfuss, North Rose-Wolcott High School
• Erika Steensma, Wayne Central High School
• Ruth Steinke, Honeoye Falls-Lima High School
• Elizabeth Weir, Wheatland-Chili High School

Young Women of Distinction is modeled on the prestigious ATHENA Award, also given by Women's Council, which is an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance.

"Our goal is to empower our young women in hopes of fostering Rochester's next-generation of leaders and to help our business community continue to grow and prosper," said Lorisa D. LaRocca, program chairwoman and a partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP.

The awards were presented this evening at a dessert reception at the Rochester Radisson Hotel downtown. The keynote speaker was the 2012 ATHENA recipient, Dr. Judith Baumhauer of the University of Rochester Medical Center.