Although there were 18 outstanding area seniors at the 2013 Girl of the Year Scholarship Program Tuesday night, it was Katianne Middleton who earned the prestigious title.

Carolyn Dunaway, chairman of the program, said members of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International have been hosting the program for 34 years, giving recognition to outstanding senior students.

“The girl who wins is supposed to be outstanding in academics, athletics, church activities, community activities — just the whole nine years,” Dunaway said.

As Girl of the Year, Middleton, a senior at Morgan Academy, received a $2,500 scholarship. Each school finalist received $200.

“There were so many great nominees, so it’s just such a great honor to be selected for this,” Middleton said after being named Girl of the Year. “As college is getting closer, I’m becoming more and more appreciative of everything I was involved in throughout high school.”

Middleton plans to attend Ole Miss in the fall where she will study secondary mathematics education.

Other school finalists included Hannah Davis, Dallas County High School; Paullesia Crum, Ellwood Christian Academy; Lyteisha Phillips, Keith High School; Samantha Clark, Meadowview Christian School; MeShellai McWilliams, Selma High School and Shai Atkins, Southside High School.

Finalists were chosen by a point process, Dunaway explained. Participants earned points for school and community involvement, grades and an impromptu writing assignment.

“It’s not meant to be a beauty pageant,” Dunaway said. “The Girl of the Year is meant to represent someone who is hard working and has a bright future — and all of these girls are deserving.”