Lemont Teen to Compete in Annual Distinguished Young Women of Illinois Competition

 resident Suzanne Beecher will compete against seven other high school seniors from across the state this Sunday in the 55th annual Distinguished Young Women of Illinois scholarship competition.

Formerly known as Illinois’ Junior Miss, the program will be held at 3 p.m. at the in Bolingbrook, 251 Canterbury Lane.

Contestants will be evaluated based on scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression.

Beecher is a senior at Benet Academy, where she has received First Honors every semester. She is a National Merit Semifinalist, an Illinois State Scholar, and a member of the National Honor Society and Foreign Language Honor Society.

She is an accomplished pianist, having earned second place at the Illinois Music Association competition. She is scheduled to play the piano during the talent portion of Sunday's event.

Beecher is involved in a variety of activities at Benet Academy. She served on the National Honor Society executive board, is a member of the Christian Service Organization and Marian Girls Service and Discussion Club, tutors a junior high student bi-weekly and sings in the choir. She is also a member of the cross country, bowling, and track and field teams.

Tickets for the Distinguished Young Women of Illinois program are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. They will be available for purchase at the door.

The young woman who win's the competition Sunday will travel in June to Mobile, Alabama, where she will participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $125,000 in cash scholarships.