Meet the 2003 Young Women of Promise

This year’s competition was fierce. The selection of only 12 young women was difficult. For the first time in the history of the awards, we have named 39 honorable mentions. All of the young women nominated by family, teachers, counselors and youth organizations deserve to be honored. They are smart, talented, accomplished, diligent, and dedicated to their families and communities.

The Young Women of Promise Awards gives us the opportunity to meet these young women and see and hear about the tremendous things they are doing—the commitments they have made and their dreams, goals, ambitions, and plans for the future. As they move forward they plan to use their talents unselfishly to make our world a better place.

They have all chosen a cause, or causes, pledging to right some of the troubles in our society. Nikki Andler organizes and educates fellow students in an anti-drug and substance abuse movement. Kat Hafich is popular designers who utilize sweatshops. Elisabeth Roney is a Loretta Brown is aspiring to a career serving others. Brittany Rayburn’s ambitions are for a career as a doctor. Marcella Sandoval is interested in politics and the governmental process. Caitlin Thomas is working with the disadvantaged in her community. Rebecca Schreck is an incredible 13-year-old who organized friends and neighbors in Alamagordo, New Mexico to raise more than $9000 for the fight against cancer.

Our staff and the sponsors of our program congratulate this year’s Young Women of Promise and the three additional young women who have been selected for special recognition.

Our staff has chosen Melissa Brandenburg as the recipient of the New Mexico WOMAN’s Choice award. After a semester in and APS intern program, Melissa impressed us so much with her ambition, enthusiasm and hard work that we invited her to become a permanent member of the staff.

The GE Young Women of Promise Leadership Award and a $1000 scholarship have been presented to Allison Conway. Allison has recognized the desperate need for psychiatric treatment and facilities for those suffering from mental disorders. Her dream is to enter the field of medicine and specialize in psychiatry.

Helena Banks of Alamagordo has been selected for the Southwest Airlines Young Woman of Promise Community Spirit Award and also a $1000 scholarship. Helena has persevered through her own personal crisis. She has shown courage, dedication, and commitment to the organizations and youth groups to which she devotes her time.

These honorees are all fresh, idealistic, and passionate about what they believe in, and they are inspiring. They recognize and appreciate the opportunities that they have. We predict that the young women you see here will be the next generation of leaders.