POCATELLO — Rachel Forest is a junior at Century High School and is recently the 2017 winner of the Pocatello/Chubbuck Distinguished Young Women scholarship competition. But this isn’t the first time a member of the Forest family has won this prestigious title.

Nina Forest, Rachel’s older sister, also won the top award in 2014.

“I have been involved in this program ever since Nina won, so I have been waiting to participate myself for about three years,” Rachel said. “I loved seeing the change she went through. This program really made her a better young woman so I wanted to go through that change myself.”

The Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program concentrates on well-rounded young women who have excelled in the classroom, been active in extracurricular activities, developed a performing talent, asserted leadership among peers and have made a commitment to her community.

“I am super proud of Rachel,” Nina said. “I was nervous for her the whole program, but I am so happy that she is following in my footsteps. I am excited to watch her grow throughout the next year, just like I did.”

The 2017 Distinguished Young Women of Pocatello/Chubbuck program finals took place April 1. Fifteen girls from the three area high schools competed in five categories. Those categories were interview, scholastic, talent, fitness and self expression.

“I wasn’t very nervous,” Rachel said. “I would say I was more anxious and excited when the night finally came. When the time finally comes to compete, you want to treasure each and every moment because it goes by so fast.”

After winning the Distinguished Young Women title, Rachel’s scholarship money totaled $3,900.

Rachel will soon represent Pocatello at the Distinguished Young Women state competition in Idaho Falls on Oct. 6 and 7.

“I am definitely looking forward to the state competition,” Rachel said. “I am really excited to work with all of my committee members.

“I love all of them so much. They have be so nice and helpful through my local experience so I am excited for us to work together towards state.”

Before the state competition in October, Rachel will have the opportunity to be in the Fourth of July parade and speak to elementary and high school students about the Distinguished Young Women program.

After she graduates from Century High School, Rachel hopes to attend Stanford University in California for her undergraduate degree while Nina hopes to also attend Stanford for her graduate program.

“Attending Stanford University is my dream goal,” Rachel said. “I have been working really hard to get to Stanford by keeping up my GPA and doing what I need to do to hopefully get in.”

Rachel and Nina have a really close relationship and try to talk on the phone every night. It has been difficult for the sisters to live in different states while Nina has been attending University of California, Davis.

“It was amazing having Nina there when I won,” said Rachel. “She rarely comes home since she goes to school in California, so for her to be there on the night of my program was so special. I really appreciated her being there for me.”