For the past year, Springville’s Anna Marie Ronderos has represented the county as the St. Clair County Distinguished Young Woman.

She was named the local DYW June 4, 2011.

“It has been an awesome year,” Ronderos said. “It has been busy with it being my senior year, and being involved in so many activities at the school. On top of that, I was preparing for state competition, but it has been a great time.”

Ronderos is the 18-year-old daughter of Joseph and Kathy Ronderos of Springville. She received all of her education at Springville schools. She also played volleyball, basketball and tennis while at Springville High.

“I am so glad I got to go to state because I learned so much while I was there,” Ronderos said. “And the things I learned I will be able to take with me on to college. It prepared me for college life. It helped with my interview skills as I prepare to move into the workforce one day. Being at state also helped me to meet new friends.”

Ronderos had a 4.2 GPA and was Springville’s salutatorian. She will attend Birmingham-Southern this fall on an academic scholarship. She plans to major in biology, and will pursue a career in orthodontics.

“This past year will be one I always remember,” Ronderos said.

Some of the highlights of the year for Ronderos included;

• Speaking at the Moody and Springville Chamber of Commerce meetings.

• Speaking at the St. Clair County School teacher In-Service Day.

• Having the chance to recruit girls for this year’s program.

• Speaking at the Springville Elementary School Honors Society Induction ceremony.

• Participating in the Springville Homecoming Parade as St. Clair County DYW.

Ronderos said the local DYW co-chairs, Melissa Adkins and Kathy Soltis, were very helpful to her, and they have been there for her this past year.

“Whoever becomes the next St. Clair County DYW will be well prepared as they move on to the state program,” Ronderos said.

Both Adkins and Soltis agree that Ronderos has been a wonderful DYW for St. Clair County.

“She represented us well around our county and especially at our state program,” Adkins said. “We are very proud of her and all of her accomplishments. She is an excellent student and athlete.”

“Anna Marie embodies all of the qualities of Distinguished Young Women,” Soltis said. “She has strived to be her best self and has been responsible, studious, healthy, involved and ambitious. We wish her the very best in all of her future endeavors.”

Kathy Ronderos said this has been a very special year for her daughter.

“The DYW program has been life changing for her, and she is so glad she participated,” Kathy Ronderos said. “She met a wonderful group of people and learned so much from them. Her directors helped her develop her interview and public speaking skills, which will benefit her throughout her life. I would like to thank them for their service to the DYW program of St. Clair County.”

“I am very proud of Anna Marie and her tenure as DYW of St. Clair County,” dad Joseph Ronderos said. “She is a hard worker and it has really paid off. I know she will continue to work hard in college and all through life.”

The Distinguished Young Women of St. Clair County Scholarship Program will be held June 16, in the auditorium at Springville Middle School.

This year’s participants include Anna Brasher, Kelsey Smith, Katie Clowdus, Jennifer Peoples, Lacey Gossett, Kayla Pilkington, Abby Leisure, Kaylyn Pate, Hannah Logan and Kelsey Lovell.

Distinguished Young Women, formerly America’s Jr. Miss Scholarship Program, is sponsored by the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Eastern Shore Toyota, Encore Rehabilitation, SPANX, Mobile Gas-A Sempra Company, Regions Bank, Alabama Power Foundation, and Master Boat Builders. The 55th National Finals will take place in Mobile, Alabama on June 28-30, 2012. For more information about Distinguished Young Women, visit DistinguishedYW.org.

Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.