16 Year Old Brooke McArdle is the Newly Selected Distinguished Young Woman of Brookfield

Brooke McArdle, a junior at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School,  is the newly selected Distinguished Young Woman of Brookfield.

A regional competition that some might call a pageant. But it's really based on the substance of the person.

"It was  great experience," McArdle tells CBS 58 News. "The girls were great and I had a great coordinator.So it was just a great experience overall. It seems surreal that I'm now going to state to meet other girls with the same experience."

Local coordinator Ellen Linnihan, a teacher at Brookfield Central High School, described Brooke as a multi talented and academically accomplished teenager who plays the  fiddle and hopes and built a climbing wall for blind children as part of her gold project for the scholarship program.

"Really what we're looking to do is recognize excellence they already have in academics and talent," explained Linnihan. "Brooke came to us with all those qualities and this is just a way to showcase the talents she already has."

Once called "Junior Miss", the program changed its named to Distinguished Young Women.

It's  a national scholarship program aimed at inspiring high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

Linnihan says Distinguished Young Women strives to give every young woman the opportunity to further her education and prepare for a successful future.

"This is just a great way to excel in many areas." Linnihan said. "The well rounded girl like Brooke who plays soccer and plays the violin, it's not focused on just one thing somebody has to offer."

You can see the entire interview Tuesday on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m.