Christina Danielle Perez and Roslyn Holland, both fourth- graders at FMC Elementary, were selected as candidates in the Distinguished Youth of Texas Scholarship and Recognition Program which will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin the weekend of Nov. 28-30.

Christina will be sponsored by her parents, Victor and Daisy Hinojosa and Gabriel and Tracy Perez, all of Beeville; her grandparents, Danny and Dora Loya, Davie and Micki Perez, and Lupita Perez; and the Law Office of Oscar P. Ramirez, Colette Hamilton, Bonnie Schendal, Audra Cirone, Martha and Amador Hinojosa, Gracie Botello, Mario and Robbie Ramirez, Tony and Michele Resendez, Ramirez Auto Quality (Arnold Ramirez), Dave and Adrienne Perez, Beck Brothers, and Angel Care Ambulance Service.

Roslyn will be sponsored by her parents, Brian and Ruby Webb, and Doug and Angie Holland, all of Beeville; grandparents, Danny and Dora Loya, Glenn Webb of Louisiana and Mary Webb of Vermont, and Tina Viney, Richard Grimes, and the Reguladores LEMC.

During the weekend competition, two Texas students will be chosen to receive a $1,000 United States savings bond and the right to serve as a state program titleholder for one year. In all, more than $5,000 in awards and prizes will be presented to various participants.

The Distinguished Youth Program is designed to recognize girls who rank high academically and who are leaders in their schools and communities. The judging criteria used to select the two state titleholders includes the following: Scholastic Record; Service to School & Community; Personality Projection; and Interview. Program Founder Warren Alexander said, “This program truly reflects the female youth of the 21st century. The candidates are well-rounded, intelligent students. Sixty percent of the judging involves written resumes, with another significant portion being the interview with the judges.”

The program finals will be held Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30, at the Renaissance Hotel and will culminate in the naming of the new Little Miss of Texas and the new Young Miss of Texas. Special guests featured in the program will be the current Little Miss of Texas, Brittany Keaveny of Aguilla, and the current Young Miss of Texas, Kiera Kinnaird of Seagraves. They will be joined by the reigning Miss Teen of America, Carlene Miller of Alden, N.Y.