POST FALLS - Marissa Leupold was named Distinguished Young Woman Saturday night and will now represent Post Falls at the Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho competition in October in Idaho Falls.

Leupold believes her poem "What it takes to be a Distinguished Young Woman," written and recited in Spanish, was probably what put her over the top.

So what does it take?

"Love, beauty, intelligence, and you need to be a true friend," the Post Falls High School junior said.

She should know. Along with the new title, Leupold has earned a spot in the National Honor Society and is currently serving as president of her DECA club at school.

As the new DYW of Post Falls, Leupold won three scholarships totaling $2,000. First runner-up Michelle Waller won about $1,350 in scholarships and second runner-up Britni Messier took home $750 in scholarship money.

"The best part of the night was the energy of the crowd," Messier said.

"None of the girls really cared who won. We've all been practicing together for three months, so it really didn't matter that much."

Waller echoed Messier's comments, saying the camaraderie and culmination of the competition was an experience she would never forget.

"I just had so much fun, being back in the locker room and hearing the energy of the crowd was awesome," she said. "Karen Hunt (former DYW) said it best when she told us the money will last a year at best, but the memories will last for a lifetime."

Aside from representing Post Falls in various ways, the girls also have to start planning for next year's Distinguished Young Woman competition. They have some words of advice for next year's contestants.

"Try your hardest," Leupold said.

Messier added, "Just have fun."

And Waller said, "Just enjoy it, it flies by in a blink of an eye."

Cynthia Keck, who chaired the event this year, said aside from a few technical glitches, the event went smoothly.

"We were all happy with the way things went," Keck said.

This year's event was the 25th anniversary of the local program in Post Falls. It used to be called Junior Miss, and was started by Kerri Thoreson in 1988. Thoreson's daughter, Alyssa, also served as chair of the event, as did Alison McArthur and Cheri Hodl.

Over the years the program has served 350 young women in Post Falls, and more than $40,000 has been awared to college-bound girls in the 83854 zip code area, Keck said.