Solberg named Cd'A's Distinguished Young Woman
<p>Coeur dÕAlene High School junior Kylee Solberg, center, smiles Saturday after being named 2012 Coeur dÕAlene Distinguished Young Woman following a two-day competition at Lake City High School. Hailey Peters Clark, right, of Coeur dÕAlene High, was first runner-up, and Mariah Bell, left, of Lake City High, was named finalist.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - By the time the talent portion of the competition came Saturday night, all the difficult stuff was done.
The academic, self-expression and health portions of the competition had been scored, and the personal interview with the judges was in the books.
All that was left for Kylee Solberg was one dance - something that's second nature for the Coeur d'Alene High School junior.
"Dancing that night was like the grand finale for me," said Solberg, who was crowned 2012 winner of the Coeur d'Alene Distinguished Young Women competition Saturday night, after judges compiled the scores of academics, health, stage presence and talent marks on 23 competing students. "I could just go out there and do what I love. It was a great feeling."
Solberg, 17, has danced ballet since she was 8. So with a decade of stage experience, dancing during the talent portion of the event didn't exactly fray her nerves.
"It's second nature to me," she said.
Solberg's victory earned her $2,600 in scholarships, which she will one day put to college. She hasn't decided where she'll attend, but said she's leaning toward an art school as she's classically trained in signing as well, and sings for her school choir.
"I was really honored to be chosen," she said, adding she had prepared well for the event but never assumed that she'd take the title. "We had so much talent this year and so many amazing girls, it really could have gone to anyone."
Solberg will travel to Idaho Falls as one of 42 regional winners for the state competition in October. The state winner will represent Idaho in the national competition, which has seen its share of Coeur d'Alene ties. Local Madison Leonard won the national crown in 2010.
"It would be amazing to win state as well," said Kim Washko, Distinguished Young Women chair, adding that Solberg beat out some very unique talent on her way to this year's Lake City crown. "She's an absolute perfect representation of Coeur d'Alene."
The annual competition is primarily based on leadership, community service and academics for high school juniors.
Hailey Peters Clark, of CHS, was first runner up, and Mariah Bell, of Lake City High School, was named finalist. In all, 21 scholarships totaling $8,000 were awarded over the weekend, but it's Solberg who will represent Coeur d'Alene down south.
"It was such an exciting thing last night to accept it and everything and be on stage with all the other girls," Solberg said. "We've bonded so much these past few months - it's really on honor to accept this and carry it on to state."