Stella Luong was this year’s recipient of the YWCA’s (Young Women Christian Association) Young Woman of Distinction Award. Luong, a senior at Parker High School, was honored at a luncheon Friday, April 8, 2005.

Four other women, Lisa Furseth, Theresa Hineline, Julie Monahan, and Cheryl Schmidt were awarded the Women of Distinction honor at the same gathering. These five individuals were distinctive women because they upheld the mission of the YWCA: empowering women to create a world of peace, racial justice, dignity, freedom and equality.

Although The Women of Distinction award has been given for over 30 years, the Young Woman of Distinction Award is only four years old. The three past recipients were the Craig High School 1992 Girl’s Cross- Country Team, the Parker High School 1993 Girl’s Basketball team, and Lisa Sudmeier. Santo Carfora, retired social studies teacher from Craig High School, nominated Luong because she is hardworking, and an-all-around wonderful person. Carfora stated,“Stella is positively involved with her school and community. She realizes the value of treating people with dignity and is willing to do what is necessary to get the message across. She is a wonderful student and a great role model for all.”

Two years ago, Luong participated in a school trip to Atlanta, Georgia The trip was facilitated by Carfora. The purpose was to “Walk in the Steps” of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luong evolved from that trip with a greater passion than before with a great desire to influence others and to make a positive influence in the community. She has talked with Kiwanis, Rotary, Janesville and Beloit school administrators , Janesville Leadership Academy, Wisconsin State Human Relations Association and many more. The Janesville Gazette recently honored her as being the only teenager in the “50 who Matter” issue.

“Stella is the kind of person whom you try to be like but can never surpass her kindness, warmth and hardwork,” describes Junior Andy Knuth, one of Luong's peers.

“Stella is involved in so many activities not to look good on paper but to make a change. If Stella thinks there is a problem, she works for a change. Stella is an instigator- she starts to make all of us think- how can I do better? How can I make myself and my world better?” stated Odin newspaper adviser, Lesley Murphy.

Luong is involved in a plethora of activities, one of which includes National Honor Society (NHS). One of the advisors to NHS, Crystal Callison stated, “I am so proud of Stella for all her accomplishments! She is a dedicated and vibrant young woman who has already made our school and community a better place to be. I have no doubt that she will continue to touch lives of people around her.”

“Stella has taught me to see good in most things. Stella has changed me,” stated Murphy.