Carolyn Henry, a current senior at Dallastown HIgh School, who is 2011 Distinguished Young Woman of York County and Pennsylvania, will compete at the National Distinguished Young Women event this June in Alabama. (Submitted photo)

Audiences pack auditoriums each year to watch some of York County's finest young women compete in the Distinguished Young Women Program.

Gracing the stage at Central York High School this year will be 28 candidates performing instrumental, vocal and dance numbers as they vie for scholarships and the title of York's Distinguished Young Woman.

Formerly the York County Junior Miss Program, the event has been running for 46 years and will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

"It's a life-changing experience for the girls who are involved," said Lyn Bergdoll, president of the board of directors for the Distinguished Young Women Program.

York County has had seven state winners in the past 12 years, said Bergdoll.

Last year's winner, Caroline Henry, now a Dallastown senior, went on to win at the state level and will compete this June at the national event in Mobile, Ala.

The program awards more than $35,000 in scholarships to young women for achievements in education and in the community, Bergdoll said.

"It's definitely not a pageant; it is truly a scholarship program and we just happen to have a talent showcase," said Bergdoll.

High school juniors are chosen based on the caliber of their courses, community service, and leadership.

The winner is chosen based on scholastic achievements and an off-stage interview with the judges, as well as during three portions of onstage competition: talent, fitness, and self-expression.

Matt Belanger of television station WGAL will be master of ceremonies for the event. Seats are by reservation only, and tickets may be ordered by calling 779-0847.

The roster: Contestants for the 2012 Distinguished Young Women Program set for Saturday, May 5 at Central York High School include the following. Each contestant's talent is also listed:

---Alicia Baker, York Suburban High School, vocal "I Could Have Danced All Night" from the musical "My Fair Lady"

---Bari Boyd, home schooled, piano, "Petite Russian Rhapsody"

---Amanda Chan, Central York High School, violin performance of "Habanera"

---Meghan Clouspy, South Western High School, vocal of "Orange Colored Sky"

---Nicole Daniell, Dallastown Area High School, classical ballet excerpt from "peasant pas de trois" of Swan Lake

---Sarah Dudney, Central York High School, flute performance of "Sugar Foot Stomp"

---Maggie Fenning, Eastern York High School, monologue of Shakespeare's, "All the World's a Stage" from "As You Like It"

---Rebecca Feveryear, Kennard-Dale High School, vocal of "Forget About the Boy" from the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie"

---Sarah Fuller, York Catholic High School, tap dance of "Born to Hand Jive" from the musical "Grease"

---Helen Gunn, York Suburban High School, vocal of "Élégie"

---Taylor Hahn, Hanover High School, lyrical dance to "Misery Business"

---Kelly Hartzell, Central York High School, saxophone performance of Turrentine's "Sugar"

---Larissa Miller, Dover Area High School, vocal of "What I Did For Love" from the musical "A Chorus Line"

---Stephanie Rhoades, Red Lion Area Senior High School, piano performance of "Arrival at Netherfield" from "Pride and Prejudice"

---Kali Rodgers, Red Land High School, vocal of "Ave Maria"

---Amanda Shapiro, Dallastown Area High School, viola performance of "Eccles Sonata"

---Karianne Shetter, York Suburban High School, lyrical dance to "River Flows in You"

---Abigail Shore , Eastern York High School, piccolo performance of Vivaldi's "Concerto in Do Maggiore"

---Amelia Shubert, Spring Grove Area High School, lyrical dance to "Collide"

---Ciara Stough, West York Area High School, lyrical dance to "Dare You to Move"

---Emily Sutter, home schooled, violin performance of "Czardas"

---Joann Sutyak, West York Area High School, violin performance of " Symphonie Espagnol"

---Rachel Thomas, Dover Area High School, piano performance of "My Heart Will Go On"

---Theresa Walsh, Eastern York High School, vocal of "Once Upon a Dream"

---Sierra Weaver, Northeastern High School, vocal of "Gimme, Gimme"

---Kaitlyn White, Central York High School, clarinet performance of "Skylark"

---Delaney Williams, Dover Area High School, Irish flute, of "Butterfly Slip Jig" and "Cooley's Reel"

---Emily Zelger, Red Lion Area Senior High School, acrobatic dance to "The Pink Panther"

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com.