The candidate representing Alabama has been named the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2023.

The annual scholarship program, founded in 1958 as America’s Junior Miss, held its national competition Thursday through Saturday in Mobile. Carrington Hodge of Helena was declared the winner.

The title comes with a $40,000 cash scholarship. According to information released by organizers, “Hodge earned preliminary awards in the fitness, talent, self-expression, and interview categories along with a satellite award totaling $46,000 in cash scholarships across the three-night competition.”

Hodge is the daughter of Terra and Carl Hodge. According to organizers, she is a graduate of Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School and plans to attend Vanderbilt University, studying for a career in pediatric neurosurgery.

Hodge previously told AL.com that she entered after being encouraged by her ballet teacher, and also was encouraged by seeing a friend, Julianne Abenoja, win the state title in 2022. Knowing that Alabama senator Katie Britt was first runner-up in the America’s Junior Miss competition in 2000 also inspired her, she said.

“The 2022 winner of the Alabama program and I have danced together since we were eight,” said Hodge. “So, watching her go through the local program and the state program and being so successful as first runner up at the national program really made me want to get involved with the program as well.”

Maggie Haimelin of Tennessee was first runner-up. Madison Parker of Indiana was second runner-up and Megan Tandar of Utah was third runner-up. Overall, cash scholarships worth $155,000 were awarded during the 2023 competition.

MORE: Irondale student Carrington Hodge will represent Alabama in 2023 Distinguished Young Women contest