Award winners must live in the Williamsport school district.
Cheryl Wilkes, chairwoman for the Williamsport Girls and Women in Sports committee, said it is the group's 13th annual awards banquet. Williamsport is the only town in Washington County that has a National Girls and Women in Sports day, she said.
"It encourages girls to participate in sports," Wilkes said of the annual awards ceremony. "And encourages those who are already participating."
Several awards of excellence were given out during the ceremony.
Emma Starkey was honored as the Elementary School Sports Girl of the year. She participates in soccer, softball and horseback riding.
Casey Arnone was the Middle School Sports Girl, and plays soccer, volleyball and basketball. Jessica Palmer, a senior at Williamsport High School, was honored as the High School Sportswoman.
Jessica, 17, is a member of the high school's soccer, basketball and track teams, and served as captain of the soccer and basketball teams this year. She said her parents tried to keep her award a secret from her, and she found out about the honor when she arrived at the banquet Sunday.
"It is an honor," she said. "I'm excited. I guess I feel like a role model, kind of."
Jessica said that after graduation, she will go to McDaniel College in Westminster, Md., or Bridgewater (Va.) College. She will play soccer at either school, she said.
Jessica said the Girls and Women in Sports awards ceremony is a great event that recognizes females in sports.
"I think guys get a lot of recognition," she said.
Two 2008 State Champions Awards of Excellence also were given Sunday in softball and track and field.
Other honorees received certificates of achievement.
2008 Categorical Awards of Excellence
Elementary School Sports Girl, Emma Starkey
Middle School Sports Girl, Casey Arnone
High School Sportswoman, Jessica Palmer
Senior Excellence Award, Florence "Sis" McCauley
2008 State Champions Awards of Excellence
Softball
Casey Siler
Ali Zube
Kelly Beard
Sarah Duffey
Emily Huff
Jessica Bennett
Jessica Patey
Jordie Lord
Emily Myers
Alexis Fisher
Felicia Bohn
Laura Smith
Beth Decker
Sarah Hoover
Tom Dzur, coach
Larry Wadel, coach
Michele Wadel, coach
Track and Field
Jordan Atha
Cayla Broadwater
Alexis Bryan
Tracey Forsythe
Jessica Johnson
John Bailey, coach
Cindy Mease, coach
