Gabriella Germann, a Central Valley High School student, was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Ceres winner during the March 7 pageant.

Held at Ceres High School, the pageant was sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Ceres and drew nine high school junior girls.

Germann was the panel interview winner, talent winner and self-expression winner.

Jalani Blankenship of Ceres High School was first runner-up and also the community service winner.

Sydney Elness, also a CHS junior, was second runner-up and the scholastics winner.

Ceres High's Yurixia Avalos finished as third runner-up and fitness winner.

Nada Abdo, a Ceres High student, was fourth runner-up and spirit winner.

Seven contestants were from Ceres High School and two from Central Valley High School. Other contestants were Beatriz Garcia, Chelsea Heras, Yulissa Rodarte and Jacqueline Lujan. Participants competed for over $4,750 in college scholarships and the opportunity to represent the city as the Distinguished Young Woman of Ceres for the Class of 2016.

The nine young women were evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories: Scholastics (20%), Interview (25%), Fitness (15%), Self-Expression (15%) and Talent (25%).

Germann will advance to the state level at the Distinguished Young Women State Finals in Bakersfield in July where she will join with other program representatives in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the Distinguished Young Woman of California.

Scholarship sponsors for the Distinguished Young Women of Ceres program included: Soroptimist International of Ceres, Ceres Lion's Club, Vilas Farms, Bertolotti Disposal, A-1 U Stor, Performance RV, Carol Nelson Staley, Jill and Bryan Hunt, Meyer CPR & First Aid, Sam's Café, Don and Coni Goudeau and the Ceres Unified Teachers Association.