Suffield Student Named 2024 Distinguished Young Woman Of Connecticut

SUFFIELD, CT — Suffield High School senior Christina Vega was named the Distinguished Young Woman of Connecticut for 2024 and awarded $500 in cash scholarships during a recent statewide scholarship program for high school girls held at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Vega competed to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Connecticut for 2024. Participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25 percent), Interview (25 percent), Talent (20 percent), Fitness (15 percent) and Self-Expression (15 percent).

Throughout the next year, Vega will represent the state at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of "Be Your Best Self." The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible.

Vega, daughter of Jerry Vega and Cassandre Victor-Vega, said, "I am absolutely ecstatic to be representing Connecticut at the National Distinguished Young Women Program. I want to show all Black and Latina women, as well as all queer women, that we deserve recognition, and praise for all that we do. We need to be proud of ourselves, and we deserve to be trailblazers in every field we enter."

The 67th National Finals will take place on June 27-29 in Mobile, Alabama. Vega will travel to Mobile, along with 49 other representatives from across the country, to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2024 and for additional cash scholarships.