OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
JCCHS Senior Is New Distinguished Young Woman
Gina Maiola, a senior at John Carroll Catholic High School, has been named the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County. The Distinguished Young Women program, formerly known as Jefferson County Junior Miss, is a national program that emphasizes scholarship, leadership and talent. This year, 24 participants competed in scholastics, interview, fitness, self-expression and talent. In addition to being named the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Jefferson County, Maiola was named the Overall Spirit Winner, Overall Talent Winner for her ballet en pointe and was a preliminary Self-Expression winner. She was awarded more than $4,000 in cash scholarships. She plans to study physical therapy at the University of Alabama or Southern Methodist University. First alternate was Kaitie Benos from Vestavia Hills High School. She was the Overall Self-Expression winner and a preliminary winner in scholastics and fitness. Second alternate was Emily McDuff from Homewood High School. She was the Overall Scholastics Winner and a preliminary fitness winner. Also in the top 10 were
Chandler Rodgers, Callie Barganier and Sarah Gabel Burdette, all of Vestavia Hills High School; Raegan Gibson, Hewitt-Trussville; Laine Lidikay, Mountain Brook; Abby Taylor; Hoover; and Elizabeth Coats, Briarwood Christian. Special recognition talent winners were Sarah Fleisher and Ansley Platt of Mountain Brook and Caroline Gaylard of Vestavia Hills. Maiola will represent Jefferson County in the Distinguished Young Women of Alabama program in Montgomery in January.
Attorney Elected NRA Vice President
Attorney Jim Porter is the new first vice president of the National Rifle Association of America. He was elected second vice president and an officer of the NRA in 2009. First elected to the NRA board of directors in 1989, Porter is president of Porter, Porter & Hassinger P.C. He has served on the Alabama Trust Fund Board, the Forever Wild Land Trust Board and the Governor’s Conservation Advisory Board. He also serves as chairman of the American Firearms and Shooting Foundation and as vice president of the Alabama Rifle and Pistol Association. ❖
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011 • 7
Top 10 finalists in the 2012 Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County program were, from left: Abby Taylor, Sarah Gabel Burdette, Elizabeth Coats, Kaitie Benos, Gina Maiola, Emily McDuff, Chandler Rodgers, Callie Barganier, Laine Lidikay and Raegan Gibson.
THE ALABAMA CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER AND BLOOD DISORDERS
“Rollins and Kamar receive care from The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama. The Center is the largest single provider of cancer care for children and young adults in our state. We’re committed to a cure, and you can be, too.” ~Sara Evans, Singer/Songwriter~
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